Written Answers of 21 March 2001

DEFENCE

  Service Personnel (Compensation)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the review for compensation arrangements for those killed and disabled during service with the armed forces will be completed; how the review will be presented to Parliament; if payments resulting from the review will be retrospective; and if he will make a statement. [154044]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Murphy) on 16 March 2001,Official Report, column 756W. This stage of the review has taken longer than expected because of legal and financial complexities. It is proposed that any new scheme would be introduced for all incidents giving rise to illness injury or death after the date of introduction. Claims relating to incidents which occurred before this time would continue to be covered by the existing arrangements. Following consultation, we expect to take final decisions on the review by early next year, when we will inform Parliament in the normal way.

  Logos and Branding
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by his Department on departmental and agency logos and associated branding since 1 May 1997. [152645]

  Dr. Moonie
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Job Evaluation
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason service officers have not had the same job evaluation as enlisted personnel; and if he will make a statement. [153979]

  Mr. Spellar
  Job evaluation of both Other Ranks and Officer posts has been routinely undertaken since 1970. A new job evaluation system was introduced in 1997 and was extensively tested across all ranks including Officers. During the period leading up to Pay 2000, priority has been given to evaluating Other Ranks in order to assign posts to pay ranges based on job weight. Most Senior Officer posts have now been evaluated. We are about to begin a comprehensive programme of evaluation for the remainder of the Officer corps with the aim of completing the first tranche by September to meet the stated requirements of the Armed Forces Pay Review Board.
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PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Peerages
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council how many members of the public have contacted the Appointments Commission to give their views on its role and the criteria and the process used to select applicants for nomination for a peerage. [153807]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I understand that 40 members of the public have responded to the Commission's invitation for views on the process and the criteria it has drawn up to guide its assessment of nominations.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council how many applicants for a People's Peerage have their main home outside the United Kingdom. [153764]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I understand that of the 3,200 applications for consideration by the Appointments Commission as non-political peers received by 17 November 2000, 17 have their main home outside the United Kingdom.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Salaries
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the President of the Council how many hon. Members voluntarily elected to forgo(a) part and (b) all of their parliamentary salary in the 2000–01 financial year. [154516]

  Mrs. Beckett
  No hon. Members have taken a reduced parliamentary salary during this financial year.

  Fair Trade Products
  Mr. Hilary Benn
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what fair-traded products are(a) used and (b) sold in the cafeterias and restaurants of the Palace of Westminster. [155066]

  Mr. Dennis Turner
  While I cannot, of course, answer for the policies of the Refreshment Department in another place, I am pleased to confirm that the following Fairtrade Mark products are sold in the cafeterias and restaurants of the House of Commons: "Clipper" teas; "Tikki Café" coffee beans and ground coffee from Matthew Algie Tea and Coffee Merchants; and "Divine" milk chocolate and "Dubble" chocolate rice bars from The Day Chocolate Company.

  The House of Commons Refreshment Department also has a policy to support the aims of the Cotonou Convention, specifically with reference to the purchase of Caribbean bananas and cane sugar.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Departmental Policies (Manchester, Gorton)
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Manchester, Gorton constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 30 November 2000. [154496]
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  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 30 November 2000 regarding a similar query. I explained that the impact of Home Office policies and actions is not normally collected by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects cannot be matched in the way requested. The three major projects which I mentioned are ongoing. They are a burglary reduction project in Rusholme, a targeted policing project against armed crime in South Manchester and the neighbourhood wardens projects in three parts of Gorton.

  The Manchester Youth Offending Team received a visit from my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in December 2000 and there was a significant increase in the number of Pre-Sentence Reports prepared for the courts during that quarter. There are plans for this progress to be sustained.

  As I explained in the earlier reply, all the policies of the Home Office will in a more general way impact on Manchester, Gorton to a greater or lesser extent. Changes since I last wrote to my right hon. Friend are as follows:
  The asylum backlog has been cut from 103,495 at the end of January 2000 to 66,195 by the end of December 2000;
  Good progress is being made in reducing the incidence of fire deaths in England and Wales. They have dropped from 605 in 1997 to 534 in 1999.

  Information on the Home Office and its policies is also published on its website, www.homeoffice.gov.uk, but once again this is not collected on a constituency basis.

  Departmental Policies (Sutton and Cheam)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Sutton and Cheam constituency, the effects on Sutton and Cheam of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154416]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office annual reports. A copy of the most recent report, Home Office Annual Report 1999–2000, is available in the Library. The latest report will be published shortly. Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. 'Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000' and 'Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000' can be found in the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by Basic Command Unit and Crime and Disorder Partnerships.

  The impact of Home Office policies and actions is not normally examined by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects, such as recorded crime, cannot be matched in the way requested although set out are examples relating to the Sutton and Cheam constituency or the immediate locality:

  Reducing Burglary Initiative

  One project from Sutton was awarded £35,000 under round two of the Reducing Burglary initiative. The project will work on anti-social behaviour and other crimes
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  and include increased use of intelligence gathering, surveillance and arrest to direct resources on prolific offenders. Anti-social behaviour, civil and repossession orders will be used to address offending by those likely to fill the void left by the removal of prolific offenders. A partnership approach will be taken to tackle issues such as the improvement of housing allocation and pre-school education provision.

  Youth Offending Teams (YOTs)

  The Youth Justice Board (YJB) are funding an Intervention Scheme and a Bail Supervision Team in the Sutton and Cheam constituency. Between September 1999 and March 2002 the YJB are contributing almost £120,000 to a Network Drugs Advice Project. The project will reduce crime by reducing drug and alcohol use among young offenders. A project worker will be based in each of the two YOTs and will assess levels of substance abuse and the influence it may have on individuals' crime-related activity. Motivational interviewing, solution focused, brief intervention, rational emotive behavioural and existential therapeutic approaches will be provided for approximately 1,500 young people over the period of the bid.

  The YJB are also contributing nearly £85,000 to a Bail Support Scheme. The project aims to reduce offending by young people while subject to bail; reduce delays caused by non-appearance of young people in court and reduce unnecessary use of secure facilities for young people on remand.

  More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of Sutton and Cheam to a greater or lesser extent. For example:
  376 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships have been established;
  racial harassment and racially motivated crimes have been made criminal offences by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;
  the asylum backlog has been cut from 103,495 at the end of January 2000 to 66,195 by the end of December 2000; and
  good progress is being made in reducing the incidence of fire deaths in England and Wales. They have dropped from 605 in 1997 to 534 in 1999.
  Information on the Home Office and its policies is also published on its website (www.homeoffice.gov.uk).

  Departmental Policies (Lancaster and Wyre)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Lancaster and Wyre constituency, the effect on Lancaster and Wyre of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154681]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office Annual Reports. A copy of the most recent report, Home Office Annual Report 1999–2000, is available in the Library. The latest report will be published shortly.
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  Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. 'Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000' and 'Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000' can be found in the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by Basic Command Unit and Crime and Disorder partnerships.

  The impact of Home Office polices and actions is not normally examined by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects, such as recorded crime, cannot be matched in the way requested although set out are examples relating to the Lancaster and Wyre constituency or the immediate locality:

  Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

  Wyre Community Safety Partnership was awarded £120,000 for a project entitled Wyre CCTV Unit. The scheme will consist of two CCTV units, capable of being deployed to any part of Wyre targeting short term crime 'hotspots' and communities, which are suffering from incidents of youth crime and disorder.

  Youth Offending Teams (YOTs)

  The Youth Justice Board (YJB) is funding two Intervention Schemes and one Bail Supervision Scheme in the Lancaster and Wyre area. Almost £57,000 is being funded towards Drugline Lancashire—Preston Arrest Referral and Cautioning Plus Project. The main aims of this project include the provision of direct services to challenge cycles of drug use and crime: counselling, information, befriending, advocacy, holistic welfare, early and crisis intervention. They also include the establishment of a networking system combining a focus on drugs, crime and young people.

  Approximately £37,000 has been awarded for the Lancashire Restorative Justice Project. The main aim is to provide both victims and young offenders with the opportunity to communicate with one another in a safe environment in order that the offender may make amends for previous inappropriate behaviour and assist the victim to come to terms with the harm suffered.

  A Bail Support Scheme has been awarded £191,000 in the area. The project aims to provide a practical alternative to magistrates and courts in Lancashire and Blackburn for remands to custody, secure accommodation and remands to local authority accommodation.

  More generally, all of the policies of the Home Office will impact on the residents of Lancaster and Wyre to a greater or lesser extent. For example:
  376 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships have been established;
  racial harassment and racially motivated crimes have been made criminal offences by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998;
  the asylum backlog has been cut from 103,495 at the end of January 2000 to 66,195 by the end of December 2000; and
  good progress is being made in reducing the incidence of fire deaths in England and Wales. They have dropped from 605 in 1997 to 534 in 1999.
  Information on the Home Office and its policies is also published on its website (www.homeoffice.gov.uk).
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  David Blagden
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on the subject of David Blagden; and if he will make a statement. [154418]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have received a good deal of correspondence on Mr. Blagden's behalf suggesting that his continued custody is unfair and unjust given the nature of his index offence and the length of time he has served. There has also been considerable media interest in the case of this discretionary life sentence prisoner both at local level and nationally.

  Legal advisers acting for David Blagden are currently challenging by judicial review the content of material due to be put before my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, for his consideration of the Parole Board's recommendations following its hearing of this case on 2 May 2000. Until this action is concluded, it is not possible to respond to the Parole Board's recommendation.

  Prison Education
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the education budget for the Prison Service was for the 2000–01 financial year; and what it will be for the 2001–02 financial year; [154525]

  (2) what the education budget for the Prison Service was for the financial years (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; and what it will be for the 2001–02 financial year. [154527]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information available is for certain identifiable areas of education expenditure, covering payments to education and library service providers and purchase of education materials. It does not include the private sector managed prisons.

  Expenditure in 1999–2000 was £47.4 million. Forecast expenditure in 2000–01 is about £50 million.

  Both of these figures include Value Added Tax (VAT) payments, where applicable, but do not include refunds to prisons of any recoverable VAT, details of which are not readily available.

  As announced in paragraph 23 of the recently published plans for the new partnership between the Prison Service and the Department for Education and Employment "Improving Prisoners' Learning and Skills", a copy of which is in the Library, funding for education, libraries and education materials will be at least £51 million in 2001–02, with planned increases to at least £59 million in 2002–03 and £63 million in 2002–04. These figures allow for VAT refunds.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the average number of hours per prisoner spent in educational classes per week, in each year from 1992 to present; and if he will make a statement. [152874]

  Mr. Boateng
  The available information is set out in the table. Information is not available for years before 1995. Comparable data are not collected from private sector prisons.
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  The figures relate only to education classes delivered by education contractors, who are in the main further education colleges, and do not include vocational training, physical education or distance learning. Not all prisoners need or wish to participate in education classes and the figures do not therefore reflect the number of hours spent by those prisoners who engage in education classes.

  Year

  Average number of hours per prisoner per week spent in education classes in public sector prisons

  1995

  3 hours 36 minutes

  1996

  3 hours 12 minutes

  1997

  2 hours 54 minutes

  1998

  2 hours 54 minutes

  1999–2000

  3 hours 12 minutes

  Note:

  Figures may not all be on a like for like basis as the 1999–2000 hours of study data relate to the financial year not calendar year as previously.

  Average number of whole weeks spent on remand by adult defendants in indictable cases in 2000

  Averaqe whole weeks spent remanded:

  In custody

  On bail

  Number of defendants

  Adult defendants who were remanded in custody throughout court proceedings

  6

  0

  1,563

  Adult defendants who were remanded in custody for part of the proceedings

  4

  8

  1.449

  Adult defendants who were remanded on bail only

  0

  10

  14,046

  All adult defendants

  1

  6

  24,750

  Prisoner Releases
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for the period between the commencement of the Home Detention Curfew scheme and 28 February inclusive,(a) the number of prisoners released on the scheme, (b) the number of prisoners convicted of each specific offence who were released on the scheme, with a breakdown of the offences committed, including specific offences committed by prisoners normally classified under the categories (i) other homicide and attempted homicide, (ii) other violence against the person, (iii) drug offences, (iv) assaults and (v) other offences, including a breakdown of the prisoners normally classified in the sub-category of other offences called other offences, (c) the average sentence (i) received and (ii) served, and the average period spent on the scheme, in respect of each specific offence, (d) the number of prisoners released on the scheme, with a breakdown of the offences committed, who (i) breached the conditions of the curfew, (ii) disappeared and were recaptured, (iii) disappeared and remain unlawfully at large and (iv) had their licences revoked, and for what reasons, (e) a breakdown of the specific offences committed by prisoners released on the scheme while on the scheme, including all offences committed by prisoners who committed more than one offence and (f) a breakdown of the specific offences committed by prisoners released on the scheme who committed a further offence while on the scheme that was similar in character to that for which they were originally convicted, including all offences committed by prisoners who committed more than one offence; and if he will make a statement. [152693]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 8 March 2001]: I have written to the right hon. Member and placed a copy of the letter in the Library.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will respond to the letters from the hon. Member for Manchester, Central dated 19 October 2000 and 17 January about Mr. H. H. R. (H11001080). [154589]

  Mrs. Roche
  Lord Bassam wrote to my hon. Friend on my behalf on 16 February.

  Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what average time was spent on remand in 2000 by(a) females aged under 21 years, (b) males aged under 21 years, (c) adult females and (d) adult males, respectively. [154653]

  Mr. Boateng
  Provisional figures for time spent on remand are given in the table.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the longest period of detention a person at present seeking asylum in the United Kingdom has been held in detention since arrival at a port of entry in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [154453]

  Mrs. Roche
  The longest period of detention of an asylum seeker currently detained under Immigration Act powers and so detained since their arrival in the United Kingdom on 30 July 1999, is 600 days.

  While detention under Immigration Act powers should always be for the shortest period possible, the decision on whether to maintain detention is strictly monitored and made on a case-by-case basis. Various factors influence that process, such as an individual's previous history, connections with the United Kingdom and an assessment on their willingness to comply with the terms of any temporary admission or release. In all cases detention must be considered essential for it to continue.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy with regards to ethnic Albanians from Presevo returning to that part of Serbia after being refused asylum in the United Kingdom. [154260]

  Mrs. Roche
  Under the Milosevic regime, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) was not prepared to accept failed asylum seekers back into the country. It has therefore not been possible to make returns to FRY (apart from Kosovo) for several years. However, following the change of government and the restoration of full diplomatic relations, we are in touch with the authorities of the FRY about arrangements for returning FRY
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  nationals with no basis for continued stay in the United Kingdom. We shall not seek to enforce returns unless we are satisfied that to do so would be consistent with our international obligations.

  Deportations
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women have been deported in each of the last three years for (i) criminal and (ii) immigration offences; and if he will make a statement. [154459]

  Mrs. Roche
  The requested information on the number of persons deported in each of the last three years for criminal and immigration offences is shown in the table. Information on the gender of those persons removed is not held centrally and could be obtained only by examining individual case files.

  Persons removed from criminal and immigration offences 1998–20001.2

  1998

  19993

  20003

  Criminal offences

  Conducive to the public good4

  115

  115

  5—

  Following court recommendation6

  240

  250

  5—

  Immigration offences

  Breaches of Conditions of leave to enter and remain7

  1,350

  790

  5

  Deportation of family members8

  15

  9—

  5—

  Total1

  1,720

  1,170

  1,705

  1Includes voluntary departures

  2Under the provisions of section 3(5) and 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1971

  33 Data are provisional

  44 Under section 3(5)(b) of the Immigrati, in Act 1971. This may include instances of deportation where the) e was no conviction of a criminal offence

  5 Not available

  6 Under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1971

  7 Under section 3(5)(a) of the Immigration Act 1971

  8 Under section 3(5)(c) of the Immigration Act 1971

  1 Less than 5

  Note:

  All figures rounded to the nearest five

  Number of persons convicted at all courts and sentenced to a term of imprisonment1 for offences relating to animal cruelty, England and Wales 1997–99

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Offence

  Convictions

  Of which sentenced to a term of imprisonment

  Convictions

  Of which sentenced to a term of imprisonment

  Convictions

  Of which sentenced to a term of imprisonment

  Protection of Animals Act, 1911 (as amended)

  867

  45

  887

  56

  825

  55

  Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Sec 8

  8

  —

  2

  —

  1

  —

  Protection of Animals Act, 1934

  4

  —

  4

  —

  —

  —

  Docking and Necking of Horses Act, 1949

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Pet Animals Act, 1951

  4

  —

  6

  —

  9

  —

  Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1954

  30

  3

  19

  3

  21

  1

  Animal Health Act, 1981, Secs 40–42, 46 and 49 and Orders made under Secs 8, 9, 37, 38, 39 and 43

  57

  —

  62

  —

  34

  —

  Slaughterhouses Act, 1974

  —

  —

  2

  —

  4

  —

  Abandonment of Animals Act, 1960, Sec 1

  21

  —

  26

  1

  12

  —

  Animals (Cruel Poisons) Act, 1962

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Animal Boarding Establishments Act, 1963

  2

  —

  5

  —

  6

  —

  Riding Establishments Acts, 1964 and 1970

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  Slaughter of Poultry Act, 1967

  3

  —

  15

  1

  7

  —

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  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of animals that were used for experimental purposes in England and Wales during the last 12 months. [154458]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Information relating to scientific procedures performed on living animals is collected and published for each calendar year and laid before Parliament in a Command Paper in late summer the following year. The number of animals used in scientific procedures which were started in 1999, the latest year for which figures are available, was 2.57 million. More detailed information is given in Table la of the publication Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, Great Britain, 1999, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Criminal Record Checks (Volunteers)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances business volunteers working as mentors in schools will be required to be checked by the Criminal Records Bureau: and if so whether they will be exempt from paying the fee. [154004]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  On the assumption that the person's role was unpaid and entailed working in a school or unsupervised access to children, the person would be eligible for a high level disclosure which would be free of charge.

  Cruelty to Animals
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted of cruelty to animals in England and Wales in each of the last three years, who were sentenced to a term of imprisonment. [154455]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information taken from the Home Office's court proceedings database showing the number of persons convicted of cruelty to animals who were sentenced to a term of imprisonment during the period 1997–99 is given in the table. The proportion of those convicted of an animal cruelty offence sentenced to a term of imprisonment rose from 4.9 per cent. in 1997 to 5.4 per cent. in both 1998 and 1999.
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  Number of persons convicted at all courts and sentenced to a term of imprisonment' for offences relating to animal cruelty, England and Wales 1997—99

  1997

  1998

  1999

  Offence

  Convictions

  Of which sentenced to a term of imprisonment

  Convictions

  Of which sentenced to a term of imprisonment

  Convictions

  Of which sentenced to a term of imprisonment

  Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1968,Secs 1, 2 and 6

  8

  —

  5

  —

  11

  —

  Protection of Badgers Act, 1992 (except Sec 13)

  25

  10

  4

  —

  10

  4

  Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, Sec 9

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, Sec 11

  —

  —

  3

  —

  3

  —

  Wild Mammals (Protection) Act, 1996

  3

  —

  7

  2

  —

  —

  Breeding of Dogs Acts, 1973 and 1991

  4

  —

  4

  —

  4

  —

  Diseases of Animals Act

  74

  —

  65

  —

  39

  —

  Wild Birds Protection Acts

  63

  —

  42

  —

  118

  —

  Total

  1,177

  58

  1,159

  63

  1,104

  60

  Includes offenders sentenced to a term of detention in a Young Offender Institution

  Metropolitan Police (Suspensions)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Metropolitan Police officers have been suspended from duty for a period of over 18 months due to allegations about their conduct in each of the last five years. [154452]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has provided the information in the table:

  Year of suspension

  Number of officers suspended

  1996

  13

  1997

  14

  1998

  40

  1999

  12

  The figure for the year 2000 is not readily available because the 18 month period has not yet elapsed.

  Sectarian Violence
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation to treat sectarian motivated violence and harassment as a specific crime. [154389]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  We have no present plans to introduce legislation to make a specific offence of violence or harassment motivated by hostility based on

  Table 1: Asylum cases granted temporary admission (excluding DAS)

  Arrival month

  Total Heathrow Terminal 1

  Total Heathrow Terminal 2

  Total Heathrow Terminal 3

  Total Heathrow Terminal 4

  Monthly total

  September 2000

  150

  179

  216

  105

  650

  October 2000

  161

  126

  211

  116

  614

  November 2000

  155

  152

  230

  117

  654

  December 2000

  166

  171

  236

  127

  700

  January 2001

  101

  114

  212

  94

  521

  February 2001

  101

  126

  200

  92

  519

  Port total

  834

  868

  1,305

  651

  3,658

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  the victim's membership (or presumed membership) of a religious group. The courts already have power to reflect aggravating factors of this type in the sentences they pass.

  Entry Permits
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the criteria under which an immigration officer may grant(a) an asylum seeker and (b) an immigrant a 28 day permit to enter the United Kingdom. [154297]

  Mrs. Roche
  Although immigration officers are able to exercise discretion when granting leave to enter, there are no specific categories which provide for entry for 28 days only; therefore, no criteria exist for such a grant of leave.

  Newly arrived asylum seekers would not normally be granted entry on arrival. They would, instead, be granted temporary admission pending consideration of their application for asylum. Dependent upon circumstances, the period of temporary admission will vary. However, if they had no friends or family in the United Kingdom and were granted temporary admission, this could initially be for one month, but again no specific criteria exist for this.

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) asylum seekers and (b) immigrants were given temporary admission to the United Kingdom by immigration officials at Heathrow in each of the last six months. [154308]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information is given in the table
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  Table 2: Non asylum cases granted temporary admission (excluding DAS)

  Arrival month

  Total Heathrow Terminal 1

  Total Heathrow Terminal 2

  Total Heathrow Terminal 3

  Total Heathrow Terminal 4

  Monthly total

  September 2000

  111

  181

  231

  84

  607

  October 2000

  79

  169

  188

  67

  503

  November 2000

  99

  136

  187

  84

  506

  December 2000

  102

  143

  209

  52

  506

  January 2001

  106

  165

  166

  84

  521

  February 2001

  123

  154

  220

  90

  587

  Port total

  620

  948

  1,201

  461

  3,230

  Note:

  All totals exclude asylum dependants (DAS.)

  Airwave Public Safety Radio
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the trials of the Airwave public safety radio communications system; and if he will make a statement. [154431]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The main evaluation began on 19 March when Divisions in the Lancashire Constabulary started to migrate progressively to Airwave and use the service operationally. Service performance will be assessed continually by the Lancashire force and the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) against rigorous criteria and a formal report is planned for issue in June 2001. If the service meets the criteria set out in the main Airwave contract then national implementation of the service will begin.

  Last autumn a number of contractually defined tests to prove radio coverage and service features and performance were carried out. Both Lancashire and PITO were party to these tests which proved satisfactory. PITO subsequently ran and monitored a large number of scripted quasi-operational tests on the to system for a seven week period between November 2000 and January 2001. These tests involved some 300 police personnel drawn from the majority of forces in England, Wales and Scotland. User feedback was generally very positive.

  Coram Family
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional information the Charity Commission has requested from the Coram family since the Attorney-General intervened in the collection scheme. [153669]

  Mr. Boateng
  This is a matter for the Charity Commission, who will write to the hon. Gentleman. A copy of the Commission's reply will be placed in the Library.

  Promotional Campaigns
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the television, newspaper and radio advertising and other promotional campaigns conducted by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its departmental public bodies, in each of the past five years, showing for each the expenditure incurred by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [153420]
  222W
  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Home Office Campaigns

  1996–97—Expenditure £5.23 million

  Car Crime Prevention

  Accelerated Promotion Scheme for Graduates (APSG)Police

  Electoral Registration

  Special Constables

  Fire Safety

  Retained Firefighters

  1997–98—Expenditure £2 million

  Absent Voting

  Accelerated Promotion Scheme for Graduates (APSG) Police

  Electoral Registration

  Special Constables

  Fire Safety

  1998–99—Expenditure £1.8 million

  Electoral Registration

  Accelerated Promotion Scheme for Graduates (APSG) Police

  Fire Safety

  Special Constables

  Crime Partnerships

  1999–2000—Expenditure £6.37 million

  European Parliament Election—including United Kingdom-wide

  household door drop

  Accelerated Promotion Scheme for Graduates (APSG) Police

  Electoral Registration

  Fire Safety

  Special Constables

  Door drop for European Elections

  2000–01—Expenditure to date £24.43 million

  Fire Safety—including household door drop in England and Wales

  Vehicle Crime

  Police Recruitment including Accelerated Promotion Scheme for Graduates (APSG)

  Human Rights

  Rolling Registration

  Home Office Agencies

  (b) Forensic Science Service

  1996–97—Expenditure £61,914

  Corporate sector direct mail campaigns

  Corporate sector (trade Press) advertising campaigns

  1997–98—Expenditure £92,700

  Law Enforcement sector (trade press) advertising campaigns

  223W

  Corporate sector (trade press) advertising campaigns

  1998–99—Expenditure £54,883

  Corporate sector (trade press) advertising campaigns

  Law Enforcement sector (trade press) advertising campaigns Corporate sector direct mail campaigns

  1999–2000—Expenditure £32,899

  Corporate sector (trade press) advertising campaigns

  Law Enforcement sector (trade press) advertising campaigns Corporate sector direct mail campaigns

  2000–01—Expenditure £9,713

  Corporate sector (trade press) advertising campaigns

  Corporate sector direct mail campaigns

  Law Enforcement sector (trade press) advertising campaigns

  Prison Service Agency

  1996–97—Expenditure £40,000

  Prison Officer Fast Track

  1997–98—Expenditure £28,000

  Prison Officer Fast Track

  1998–99—Expenditure £48,000

  Prison Officer Fast Track

  1999–2000—Expenditure £

  2000–01—Expenditure £0

  UK Passport Agency

  1996–97—Expenditure £10,000

  Abolition of British Visitors Passport

  1997–98—Expenditure £0

  1998–99—Expenditure £0

  1999–2000—Expenditure £678,000

  Passport Extension

  Passport fee increase

  2000–01—Expenditure £50,000

  Passport Awareness Door Drop

  Departmental Public Bodies

  (c) Commission for Racial Equality

  1996–97—Expenditure £300,000

  European Year Against Racism

  1997–98—Expenditure £0

  1998–99—Expenditure £40,000

  Personal Responsibility

  1999–2000—Expenditure £0

  2000–01—Expenditure to date £200,000

  "Would I?" campaign.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Corus
  Mr. Donald Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what factors arising from the downsizing of Corus will be taken into account in his current review of company law. [154515]

  Dr. Howells
  The wide-ranging review of company law launched by Government in 1998 is being conducted by an independent steering group of company law experts, business people and others. It is expected to present a final 224W
  report to Ministers later this year. I am sure that the steering group will take all relevant factors into account in reaching its conclusions and recommendations

  Miners' Compensation
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements his Department has made for undertaking further medical assessment procedures in the north east of Wales since the current office was refused planning permission by Wrexham County Borough Council.[154545]

  Mr. Hain
  Healthcall has been asked to cease assessments in May. There are only a small number of claimants in the Wrexham area and Healthcall is investigating alternative sites in the area for the portakabin modular unit with the help of the local council.

  In addition, Healthcall is in the process of equipping two mobile testing units to be used throughout Great Britain. If it is unable to identify an alternative site for the portakabin it plans to use the mobile units to test in Wrexham as and when the need arises.

  I visited this site recently and have given an undertaking that there will be no disruptions or delay to the processing of claims of appointments.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many more claims for compensation his Department expects to receive from ex-miners and their families from the north east of Wales. [154547]

  Mr. Hain
  It is difficult to forecast the number of further claims of compensation for respiratory disease expected. Nation-wide, there are currently 1,000 new claims initiated in respect of respiratory disease each week. The current number of claims is currently 140,000.

  In relation to vibration white finger, VWF, there was a cut-off date on 30 September 2000. The total number of claims is 118,000.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what timescale his Department has for processing claims for compensation from ex-miners and their families from the north east of Wales. [154546]

  Mr. Hain
  It is difficult to say how long it will take before the last claim is assessed in the north east of Wales. New claims can still be made and across the UK there are about 1,000 new claims each week. We are prioritising the most injured and eldest miners and widows.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims from ex-miners and their widows from the north east of Wales coalfield his Department has received in the last five years. [154548]

  Mr. Hain
  In the area of north east Wales, as defined by the postcodes LL11–16, 18–22, 24, 26, 28–29, 32–34, CH1 and 4–8, IRISC, the Department's claims handlers, have registered 1,256 claims in respect of compensation for respiratory disease and 549 claims in relation to vibration white finger, VWF. To date, there have been 371 individual payments totalling £1.37 million in respect of respiratory disease and 139 individual payments in respect of VWF amounting to £0.66 million.
  225W

  Gas and Electricity Prices
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the price paid for electricity and gas (a) by very large consumers in the United Kingdom steel industry and (b) by their competitors in Europe. [154276]

  Mr. Hain
  Figures are not separately available for energy prices to the iron and steel industry.

  In general, industrial consumers in the UK paid lower prices in real terms for electricity in 2000 than in any year since 1970. Average prices paid by industrial consumers for electricity in the UK in 1999 were seventh lowest of the 12 EU member states for which data are available. We recognise that some large industrial consumers may be paying more for electricity than their EU counterparts.

  In general, industrial consumers in the UK paid higher prices in real terms for gas in 2000 than in 1999, however they remain lower than in any year prior to 1996. Average

  Natural gas prices for industry, pence per kwh

  1 January 2000

  1 July 2000

  Size 14–2(116.3 GWh p.a.)

  Size 15(116.3 GWh p.a.)

  Size 14–2(116.3GWh p.a.)

  Size 15(116.3 GWh p.a.)

  Belgium—National

  0.66

  n/a

  0.84

  n/a

  Denmark—National

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Germany—Dusseldorf

  0.94

  0.77

  1.19

  0.85

  Spain—Madrid

  0.84

  0.84

  1.02

  1.02

  France—Paris

  0.83

  n/a

  0.97

  n/a

  Ireland—Dublin

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Italy—Milan

  0.84

  n/a

  1.05

  n/a

  Luxembourg—City

  1.08

  n/a

  1.34

  n/a

  Netherlands—Rotterdam

  0.82

  0.65

  n/a

  n/a

  Austria—Vienna

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Finland—National

  0.86

  0.72

  0.96

  0.75

  Sweden—National

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  UK—National

  0.65

  0.52

  0.71

  0.52

  Notes:

  1. Prices include all taxes unless refunded. Prices converted using monthly average exchange rates.

  2. n/a indicates that data are not available usually because of confidentiality issues.

  Source:

  Derived from Eurostat Statistics in Focus

  Electricity prices for industry, pence per kWh

  1 January 2000

  1 July 2000

  Size Ih (50 GWh p.a., 10MW, 5,000 hrs)

  Size Ii (70 GWh p.a., 10MW, 7,000 hrs)

  Size Ih (50 GWh p.a., 10MW, 5,000 hrs)

  Size Ii (70 GWh p.a., 10MW, 7,000 hrs)

  Belgium—National

  3.01

  2.58

  3.17

  2.72

  Denmark—National

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Germany—Dusseldorf

  2.86

  2.59

  3.87

  3.44

  Spain—Madrid

  3.50

  3.23

  3.50

  3.23

  France—Paris

  2.80

  2.52

  n/a

  n/a

  Ireland—Dublin

  3.31

  3.01

  3.31

  3.04

  Italy—National

  4.07

  3.66

  4.54

  4.13

  Luxembourg—Grand Duchy

  2.71

  2.38

  2.72

  2.40

  Netherlands—Rotterdam

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Austria—Vienna

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Finland—National

  1.92

  1.85

  1.93

  1.85

  Sweden—National

  1.79

  1.67

  1.91

  1.78

  UK—National

  3.17

  3.11

  3.32

  3.09

  Notes:

  1. Prices include all taxes unless refunded, Prices converted using monthly average exchange rates.

  2. n/a indicates that data are not available, usually because of confidentiality issues.

  Source:

  Derived from Eurostat Statistics in Focus
  226W
  prices paid by industrial consumers for gas in the UK in 1999 were the lowest of the eight EU member states for which data are available. The latest information available suggests that large industrial consumers are continuing to pay less for gas than their EU counterparts, despite the recent increases in prices.

  The Department conducts a quarterly survey of 1,200 manufacturing companies in Great Britain, the results of which are published in "Energy Trends". Data collected by this survey for Quarter 3 2000 indicate that extra large industrial users of electricity, i.e. those consuming more than 150 GWh per annum, pay 2.54 p/kWh and that large industrial users of gas, i.e. those consuming more than 8.8 GWh per annum, pay 0.529 p/kWh.

  Data from Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Commission, for electricity and gas prices to different sizes of consumer are published twice a year in their "Statistics in Focus" publication. The latest available information for the largest consumers from this source are presented below:
  227W
  Data from a private consultant, "Energy Advice", indicate the latest prices for these sizes of consumer are as follows:

  Gas prices for industry, pence per kWh

  1 January 2000

  1 July 2000

  1 February 2001

  Size D(106 GWh p.a.)

  Size F(1164 GWh p.a.)

  Size D(106 GWh p.a.)

  Size F(1164 GWh p.a.)

  Size D(106 GWh p.a.)

  Size F(1164 GWh p.a.)

  Belgium

  0.76

  0.69

  0.96

  0 89

  1.21

  1.13

  Germany

  0.99

  0.72

  1.30

  1 01

  1.62

  1.18

  France

  0.85

  0.80

  1.00

  0 95

  1.25

  1.20

  Italy

  0.94

  0.84

  1.17

  1 02

  1.39

  1.19

  Netherlands

  0.83

  0.69

  1.00

  0 86

  1.25

  1.12

  UK

  0.56

  0.51

  0.57

  0.51

  0.77

  0.73

  Notes:

  1. Prices include non-refundable taxes.

  2. UK prices are estimated averages of all suppliers. New contract prices in mid February are estimated as 1.01–1.06 pence per kWh for large consumers on firm supply terms and 0.92–1.01 pence per kWh for interruptible supplies.

  Source:

  Energy Advice

  Electricity prices for industry, pence per kWh

  1 January 2000

  1 July 2000

  1 February 2001

  Size Ciii(52.5 GWh p.a., 10MW, 5,250 hrs)

  Size Civ(70 GWh p.a., 10MW, 7,000 hrs)

  Size Ciii(52.5 GWh p.a., 10MW, 5,250 hrs)

  Size Civ(70GWh p.a., 10MW, 7,000 hrs)

  Size Ciii(52.5 GWh p.a., 10MW, 5,250 hrs)

  Size Civ(70 GWh p.a., 10MW, 7,000 hrs)

  Belgium

  3.14

  2.72

  3.24

  2 83

  3.27

  2.87

  Germany

  3.20

  2.79

  3.13

  2 52

  3.31

  2.68

  rance

  3.00

  2.70

  2.82

  2 55

  2.84

  2.56

  Italy

  3.85

  3.43

  4.63

  4 50

  4.83

  4.72

  Netherlands

  3.26

  2.96

  3.35

  3 15

  2.81

  2.77

  UK

  3.52

  3.41

  3.08

  2 97

  3.08

  2.97

  Note:

  Prices include non-refundable taxes.

  Source:

  Energy Advice

  Electricity prices for industry, pence per kWh

  Size Eiv. 80MW Special Contracts/"As Found", 1 February 2001

  Minimum

  Maximum

  Belgium

  2.40

  2.62

  Germany

  2.10

  2.52

  France

  2.03

  2.21

  Italy

  3.97

  4.10

  Netherlands

  2.25

  2.45

  UK

  2.35

  2.87

  Note:

  Prices include non-refundable taxes

  Source:

  Energy Advice

  BNFL
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with BNFL in respect of the implementation of the company's new management of change arrangements. [154200]

  Mr. Hain
  I met senior managers of BNFL on Tuesday 13 March, but managing change within BNFL is a matter for the company, subject to the satisfaction of the nuclear safety regulator, the Health and Safety Executive.

  British Coal Canteen Workers (Equal Value Claims)
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress 228W
  towards a settlement between British Coal and its canteen workers on equal value claims. [153613]

  Mr. Hain [holding answer 19 March 2001]
  Negotiations between the legal representatives of British Coal and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) have re-opened. On 7 March, British Coal made a new and significantly improved offer, but unfortunately there has, as yet, been no response from the NUM side.

  I very much hope the NUM will give the offer the serious consideration which it merits, as I am anxious that a way can be found to allow payments to be made to the claimants as quickly as possible.

  Departmental Policies (Sutton and Cheam)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Sutton and Cheam constituency, the effects on Sutton and Cheam of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154417]

  Mr. Caborn
  The parliamentary constituency of Sutton and Cheam has benefited from a range of initiatives since May 1997. Direct business advice and support to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has been provided by the DTI through core programmes and the Business Links. While my Department does not collect detailed statistical information on a constituency basis, over 2.360 requests for advice, information and support from SMEs in Sutton and Cheam have been handled by the Business Links since May 1997
  229W

  Departmental Policies (Truro and St. Austell)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Truro and St. Austell constituency, the effects on Truro and St. Austell of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997.[154530]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Department has provided the following support for businesses in Truro and St. Austell constituency since May 1997.

  Regional Selective Assistance (RSA)

  RSA is a capital investment grant linked to the creation or safeguarding of jobs in designated areas of need (the Assisted Areas). Two RSA grant offers totalling £0.675 million have been made to businesses in the Truro and St. Austell constituency, to support projects with a total capital expenditure of £7.3 million, and to create and safeguard a total of 163 jobs. The whole of the constituency is included in the new Assisted Areas map effective from July 2000; only parts of the constituency were included in the previous map.

  Enterprise Grants

  The Enterprise Grants scheme is a simplified scheme that was introduced in April 2000 to help small firms undertake fixed capital investment projects. Two offers totalling £0.024 million have been made to firms in the Truro and St. Austell constituency.

  Smart

  Smart awards are designed to help small firms with the introduction of new products and processes. Two Smart awards totalling £0.07 million have been made to firms in the Truro and St. Austell constituency.

  Business Link

  PROSPER Business Link has provided services to small businesses in the Truro and St. Austell constituency since 1997. These include general and specialised advice to help businesses grow, export development counselling, ICT advice, and a full range of specialist information. From April 2001 these services will be provided by the Small Business Service operating through a franchise awarded to a PROSPER led partnership. This new service will be more customer focused ensuring that services are driven by local need.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Child Protection
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions her Department has had with the Council of Europe to develop joint policies for the welfare and protection of children. [154449]

  Clare Short
  My Department has not had any recent discussions with the Council of Europe on child protection. However, children are central to DFID's programmes for the eradication of poverty.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what checks her Department makes on goods imported into the United Kingdom to ensure that they are not made by child labour; and if she will make a statement. [154457]
  230W
  Clare Short
  My Department is committed to the reduction of child labour with special emphasis on the worst forms. We do not make checks on goods imported into the UK but are supporting the efforts of Governments, non-governmental organisations, and international bodies such as the International Labour Organisation to end exploitative child labour in developing countries in both domestic and export sectors.

  We are also providing assistance to business, through, for example, the Ethical Trading Initiative and the Resource Centre for the Social Dimensions of Business Practice, for the elimination of child labour and other exploitative labour practices, including in supply chains. We support the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidelines for multinational enterprises.

  In November 1999 we published a report on child labour—"Helping not Hurting Children"—which outlines the dangers for children of calls for boycotts and trade sanctions. A copy will be sent to my hon. Friend.

  General Agreement on Trade in Services
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the impact of the proposed General Agreement on Trade in Services on basic services in developing countries. [154302]

  Clare Short
  Developing and developed country governments choose both the sectors in which and the extent to which they liberalise services under the General Agreement on Trade in Services. Services supplied in the exercise of governmental authority—that is, public services like health and education services—are explicitly excluded from the GATS (although private services are covered by the GATS).

  Further liberalisation of private services under GATS offers developing countries potential benefits in a number of different sectors. Increased competition in basic services such as banking, transport and telecommunications would provide more efficient and effective infrastructure in developing countries, which is vital if they are to achieve the economic growth they need to reduce poverty.

  Colombia
  Mr. Simon Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the US Government concerning the use of herbicide spraying as part of the drug-crop eradication campaign, Plan Colombia. [153933]

  Mr. Battle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The FCO and other Departments maintain a wide-ranging and regular dialogue on drugs issues with the US Government and other key international partners. This dialogue includes discussion of drug crop eradication methods in Colombia and in other drug producing countries.

  We have indicated our support for the principle of independent international monitoring of the aerial fumigation of large-scale illicit drug cultivation in Colombia.
  231W

  Strategy Unit
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when her corporate strategy unit for aid policy department was established; which of its reports are placed in the public domain; how many departmental or non-departmental special advisers participate in its work; how many regular(a) non-departmental and (b) departmental staff participate in its work; and how many of these work for the unit on a full-time basis. [150370]

  Clare Short
  A strategy unit was established in DFID's Policy Department in 1998. The unit itself publishes no reports, but it played a co-ordinating role in the production by DFID of a set of nine publicly available strategies for achieving the International Development Targets. Special advisers do not participate in the work of the unit. It contains two full-time and one part-time regular departmental staff.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Departmental Policies (Manchester, Gorton)
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Solicitor-General if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Manchester, Gorton constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 6 November 2000. [154500]

  The Solicitor-General
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 6 November 2000,Official Report, column 1W.

  On 13 November 2000, the City of Manchester branch of the Crown Prosecution Service underwent the reorganisation I referred to in my previous answer. In line with the Glidewell proposals, the branch now has Trial Units and Criminal Justice Units covering the North and South Manchester Policy Divisions. At the present time and for the foreseeable future, it is unlikely that the Crown Prosecution Service will be able to co-locate with the police at Elizabeth Slinger Road Police Station.

  In partnership with other agencies, the Crown Prosecution Service has made a concerted effort to reduce the length of time, between arrest and sentence, that persistent young offenders remain within the criminal justice system. On 25 November 2000, there were 201 persistent young offender cases currently before Manchester Youth Court. On 14 March 2001, that figure had been reduced to 137. Similarly, the average time from arrest for all current cases has shown a reduction from 98 days to 89 days over the same period. All these changes illustrate the Government's successful period. All these changes illustrate the Government's successful policy of speeding up the work of the criminal justice system.

  On 15 January 2001, section 51 Crime and Disorder Act 1988 came into force. One of the first cases dealt with by the City of Manchester branch involved the arrest of four defendants under Operation Auction 1. This, as my right hon. Friend knows, is a police operation set up to combat a high level of street robberies in Gorton. The four defendants made their first appearance before Manchester City Magistrates Court on 16 January 2001. On 24 January 2001 they appeared before the Crown
  232W
  Court. One of the defendants, Stuart Smith, indicated immediately that he intended to plead guilty to assault with intent to rob. He entered his guilty plea on 8 February 2001 and was sentenced to a Detention and Training Order for two years. This illustrates the potential effectiveness in speeding up serious cases. Slightly over three weeks from the.date of his first court appearance, the defendant received a substantial custodial sentence. Previously the case was unlikely to have been finalised within three months. Committal proceedings would have taken approximately eight weeks and a further four weeks would have elapsed between committal and a plea and directions hearing at the Crown Court.

  Actions and policies of the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Serious Fraud Office affect my right hon. Friend's constituency only indirectly.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Balkans
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on NATO's decision to allow Serb forces into a section of the buffer zone between Kosovo and Macedonia. [154012]

  Mr. Vaz
  Following the successful negotiation of a ceasefire between the Yugoslav army and local Albanian leaders, the Commander of KFOR (COMKFOR) has authorised the return of FRY forces to one sector of the 5 km Ground Safety Zone (GSZ). Around 900 FRY military personnel have deployed to a small section of the GSZ on the border with Macedonia. In accordance with pre-conditions laid down by COMKFOR, they will not deploy any tanks or heavy artillery. They must also ensure that no Serb irregular or paramilitary forces enter the GSZ. The deployment is being monitored by KFOR.

  Tibet
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he gave to the Princess Royal concerning her plans to visit Tibet. [154209]

  Mr. Battle
  Government discussions with the Royal Households about the planning and pattern of overseas visits are always in confidence.

  Uganda
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the conduct of the presidential election in Uganda. [154299]

  Mr. Wilson
  The presidential elections in Uganda provided a genuine choice of candidates and alternative policy platforms. In general candidates were able to campaign throughout the country and to present their policies through the media.

  We share the concerns expressed in the preliminary report by the consortium of local organisations which monitored the elections (NGO Election Monitoring Group-Uganda) over reports of violence and intimidation including by Government agents, which marred the later stages of the campaign, and over reports of serious

  233W
  irregularities in some areas on polling day. We await the Ugandan Electoral Commission's response to these concerns.

  The patience and goodwill of the majority of Ugandan voters is a testament to their desire for democratic participation.

  President Mugabe
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made to the UK by the Belgian Government regarding President Mugabe's recent meeting with the Belgian Foreign Minister. [154673]

  Mr. Wilson [holding answer 20 March 2001]
  The Belgian Government made no representations.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made to the Government of Belgium regarding President Mugabe's recent meetings with them. [154672]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]: The UK's views on the situation in Zimbabwe were explained to the Belgian Government in writing before their meetings with President Mugabe on 5 March.

TREASURY

  Motor Fuel
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the annual cost was in 2000 of the Customs and Excise staff, vehicles and equipment used to combat the smuggling of motor Fuel products into Northern Ireland; and how much excise duty he estimates was lost as a result of such smuggling .[153428]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: The annual cost of Customs and Excise staff in Northern Ireland tackling all criminal activity affecting its areas of responsibilities was £3.3 million in 2000.

  Customs and Excise do not have an estimate of excise duty lost through smuggling of motor fuel products in 2000.

  Departmental Policies (Manchester, Gorton)
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency the effects on the Manchester, Gorton constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 6 November 2000. [154498]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Since 6 November, the pre-Budget Report 2000 and Budget 2001 have introduced a number of policies which will further benefit the Manchester, Gorton constituency. In particular, all 10,900 pensioners in Manchester, Gorton will receive an above-inflation increase in the basic state pension from April 2001; and all 2,300 Working Families Tax Credit recipients in Manchester, Gorton will receive an additional £5 per week from June 2001.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Truro 234W
  and St. Austell constituency, the effects on Truro and St. Austell of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154537]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Truro and St. Austell, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, is benefiting from the long-term action we have taken to build economic stability and secure high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the general election, claimant unemployment in the constituency has fallen by 1,210, or 41 per cent., youth unemployment is down by 84 per cent., and long-term unemployment has fallen by 75 per cent.

  Macroeconomic stability is being complemented at the microeconomic level by the Government's policies to ease the transition from welfare into work and to make work pay. To the end of December 2000, the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds had helped 1,161 young people in Truro and St. Austell constituency gain valuable skills and experience—646 (56 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In August 2000, 2,600 families in Truro and St. Austell constituency were benefiting from WFTC.

  The Government are also committed to policies which enable pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. All pensioners, including 22,700 in Truro and St. Austell, will receive an above-inflation increase in the basic State Pension from April 2001. Single pensioners will receive an extra £5 a week, and couples will receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000—including around 13,800 in Truro and St. Austell.

  Departmental Policies (Lancaster and Wyre)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Lancaster and Wyre constituency, the effect on Lancaster and Wyre of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154683]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Lancaster and Wyre, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, is benefiting from the long-term action we have taken to build economic stability and secure high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the general election, claimant unemployment in the constituency has fallen by 590. or 33 per cent., youth unemployment is down by 74 per cent., and long-term unemployment has fallen by 66 per cent.

  Macroeconomic stability is being complemented at the microeconomic level by the Government's policies to ease the transition from welfare into work and to make work pay. To the end of December 2000, the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds had helped 596 young people in the Lancaster and Wyre constituency gain valuable skills and experience—327 (55 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In August 2000, around 1,500 families in the constituency were benefiting from WFTC.

  The Government are also committed to policies which enable pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. All pensioners, including 22,100 in Lancaster and Wyre, will receive an above-inflation increase in the

  235W
  basic state pension from April 2001. Single pensioners will receive an extra £5 a week, and couples will receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000—including around 14,400 in Lancaster and Wyre.

  Departmental Policies (Sutton and Cheam)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Sutton and Cheam constituency, the effects on Sutton and Cheam of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154413]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Sutton and Cheam, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, is benefiting from the long-term action we have taken to build economic stability and secure high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the general election, claimant unemployment in the constituency has fallen by 786, or 56 per cent., youth unemployment is down by 84 per cent., and long-term unemployment has fallen by 86 per cent.

  Macroeconomic stability is being complemented at the microeconomic level by the Government's policies to ease the transition from welfare into work and to make work pay. To the end of December 2000, the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds had helped 260 young people in Sutton and Cheam constituency gain valuable skills and experience—150 (58 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In August 2000, 500 families in Sutton and Cheam constituency were benefiting from WFTC.

  The Government are also committed to policies which enable pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. All pensioners, including 15,400 in Sutton and Cheam, will receive an above-inflation increase in the basic state pension from April 2001. Single pensioners will receive an extra £5 a week, and couples will receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000—including around 10,100 in Sutton and Cheam.

  Tax Credits (Wales)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many families in Wales are eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit; [154552]

  (2)how many people in Wales have (a) applied for and (b) receive the Children's Tax Credit. [154551]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Estimates of the number of families in Wales in receipt of the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) are shown in the WFTC Quarterly Enquiries, copies of which are in the Library.

  On the Children's Tax Credit, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers given to the right hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) on 6 February 2001, Official Report, column 497W.

  Fuel Duties
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the level of fuel duties; and if he will make a statement. [154708]
  236W
  Mr. Timms
  The Government have received numerous recent representations on a wide range of issues including fuel duties. These have all been given careful consideration.

  Taxation (Shrewsbury and Atcham)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have gained since 1 May 1997 in Shrewsbury and Atcham from the(a) reduction in VAT on fuel, (b) reduction in the basic income tax and (c) introduction of the 10p starting tax rate; and if he will make a statement. [154659]

  Dawn Primarolo
  All people in Shrewsbury and Atcham who have purchased domestic fuel and power since 1 September 1997 will have benefited from the reduced rate that came into effect on that day.

  Nationally, almost all income tax payers gain from the introduction of the 10p starting tax rate and more than 85 per cent. of taxpayers gain from the cut in the basic rate.

  For the number of taxpayers in Shrewsbury and Atcham, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 19 January 2000, Official Report, column 513W.

  Annuity Reform
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the calculation underlying the statement in the Red Book 2001, page 95, paragraph 5.67, on the costs of undertaking annuity reform; and if he will make a statement.[154144]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Relaxing the existing requirement to purchase an annuity would provide an incentive for some to use pension schemes for purposes other than providing a secure income throughout retirement. Costs will vary depending on the nature of any reforms, including what level of income must first be secured and what tax charge is applied to withdrawals above that level. Proposals for tax-free withdrawals could cost billions of pounds a year in lost income tax and extra tax relief.

  Income Tax Returns
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many days leeway are allowed before a fine is imposed for late submission of personal income tax returns after the due date. [154584]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Where a tax return is received on the day after the statutory filing date, no penalty is imposed for late submission.

  The statutory filing date for most returns is 31 January, so such a return received on 1 February is not penalised. A return found in tax office post box by 7.30 am on 2 February is assumed to have been delivered before midnight on 1 February,and is not penalised.

HEALTH

  Midwives
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwives there were in(a) May 1997, (b) 1979 and (c) at the latest date for which
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  figures are available (i) in total and (ii) in full-time equivalents; and if he will assess the impact of the 1994–95 change from a pay scale based system to an occupation code-based one. [142990]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  The system of classifying National Health Service staff by occupation code introduced in 1995 has proved successful, improving quality of information and at the same time reducing the burden on data suppliers.

  NHS hospital and community health services: midwifery staff in England as at 30 September each year

  Year

  Whole time equivalent

  Headcount

  1979

  20,020

  1—

  1997

  18,050

  22,380

  1999

  17,880

  22,800

  1Not available

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10

  2. Figures exclude learners and agency staff

  3. A new classification of the non-medical work force was introduced in 1995

  4. Information based on this classification is not directly comparable with earlier years

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the role of local councils following the abolition of community health councils. [144193]

  Ms Stuart
  The democratic deficit in the National Health Service has long been recognised. In future, democratically elected councillors will take on from community health councils the important function of scrutinising local NHS service through local authority overview and scrutiny committees (OSCs)

  The provisions that give local authority OSCs the new powers to scrutinise the NHS are contained within the Health and Social Care Bill, which is currently before Parliament. The Bill will enable the OSC to scrutinise and review the operation, management and development of the NHS bodies within its area, it will then make reports and recommendations of those NHS bodies based on the results of that scrutiny.

  The aim of the new scrutiny arrangements is to allow flexibility and to enable the building of local authority scrutiny models that are fit for ensuring that the NHS is scrutinised rigorously, and that scrutiny is democratically accountable to the local population.

  Treatment Costs
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the average cost per NHS patient of treatment by(a) an orthopaedic and (b) a podiatric surgeon [147270]

  Mr. Denham
  We have made no such estimates.
  238W

  Nurses (Housing)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what housing is being built for nurses employed in NHS hospitals in the Greater London area. [148312]

  Mr. Denham
  In the spring of last year a housing co-ordinator was appointed to facilitate access to appropriate affordable housing for National Health Service staff in London and already some 500 units have been available.

  An accommodation bureau has also been established and a database now exists containing all the units available. The bureau will enable individual members of staff to he made aware of what is available and to ensure that maximum efficiency is made of the accommodation we currently now access.

  A number of bids involving some 7,500 new homes for own occupation for NHS staff have been made under the Starter Home Initiative Challenge Fund via the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. These are currently being evaluated and an announcement will be made in June.

  Overseas Doctors
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support and assistance he will be providing to assist overseas doctors in completing the required professional and language tests to enable them to register in this country as part of his proposal to recruit overseas doctors under the NHS plan. [149804]

  Mr. Denham
  We have no plans to support doctors (many of whom will still be resident in their home countries) while they prepare for professional and language tests that are, in themselves, no guarantee of employment in the United Kingdom. The early stages of testing are, however, more accessible as they are now available in a number of countries outside the UK.

  Free Eye Tests
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in(a) the UK and (b) each health authority area benefited from free eye tests in the last year.[153147]

  Mr. Denham
  In 1999–2000, there were some 11.8 million free National Health Service sight tests carried out in the United Kingdom. Figures for health authorities in England are shown in the table.

  Number

  Avon

  197.740

  Barking and Havering

  71,990

  Barnsley

  39.420

  Bedfordshire

  101,630

  Berkshire

  129,910

  Bexley and Greenwich

  73,790

  Birmingham

  233,450

  Bradford

  107,360

  Brent and Harrow

  88,530

  Bromley

  58,490

  Buckinghamshire

  111,690

  Bury and Rochdale

  71,460

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  113,930

  Cambridgeshire

  133,610

  239W

  Number

  Camden and Islington

  57,770

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  95,410

  County Durham

  98,070

  Croydon

  59,890

  Doncaster

  53,570

  Dorset

  144,230

  Dudley

  62,210

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  97,490

  East and North Hertfordshire

  102,700

  East Kent

  128,480

  East Lancashire

  103,720

  East London and the City

  129,190

  East Riding

  106,560

  East Surrey

  63,540

  East Sussex

  145,170

  Enfield and Haringey

  93,560

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  70.050

  Gloucestershire

  109,260

  Herefordshire

  35,540

  Hillingdon

  45,130

  Isle of Wight

  26,560

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  49,490

  Kingston and Richmond

  50,760

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  105,590

  Leeds

  130,610

  Leicestershire

  179,730

  Lincolnshire

  125,780

  Manchester

  81,960

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  95,570

  Morecambe Bay

  59,260

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  101,320

  Norfolk

  153,110

  North and East Devon

  95,610

  North and Mid Hampshire

  90,270

  North Cumbria

  60,250

  North Derbyshire

  59,240

  North Essex

  176,190

  North Nottinghamshire

  81,100

  North Staffordshire

  85,070

  North West Lancashire

  103,740

  North Yorkshire

  125,300

  Northamptonshire

  107,470

  Northumberland

  59,040

  Nottingham

  117,420

  Oxfordshire

  101,590

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  117,820

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  98,430

  Rotherham

  41,860

  Salford and Trafford

  85,830

  Sandwell

  65,270

  Sefton

  57,070

  Sheffield

  103,480

  Shropshire

  89,010

  Solihull

  32,680

  Somerset

  109,570

  South and West Devon

  137,330

  South Cheshire

  125,870

  South Derbyshire

  116,550

  South Essex

  146,830

  South Humber

  70,180

  South Lancashire

  41,710

  South Staffordshire

  112,150

  Stockport

  53,300

  Sunderland

  55,900

  Tees

  119,930

  Wakefield

  65,330

  Walsall

  54,400

  Warwickshire

  87,130

  West Hertfordshire

  99,270

  West Kent

  179,630

  West Pennine

  80,190

  240W

  Number

  West Surrey

  123,040

  West Sussex

  149,260

  Wigan and Bolton

  101,500

  Wiltshire

  126.950

  Wirral

  70,380

  Wolverhampton

  58,230

  Worcestershire

  101,490

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the countries in which officials of the Food Standards Agency have conducted investigations into the safety of food destined for British markets. [150242]

  Ms Stuart
  [holding answer 13 February 2001]: Primary responsibility for the safety of food rests with the national competent authority of each country, whether a member state of the European Community or a third country. It is the responsibility of each individual country to ensure that food exported to the United Kingdom complies with both national and European Union food safety requirements The EC, and not the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency, has competence for monitoring and, where appropriate, investigating issues of compliance with EU food safety law, both in third countries exporting food to the European market and in member states producing food for trade within the EC.

  NHS Computer Systems
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to begin further consortia procurement programmes for IT systems in the NHS before the post-implementation review of the South West Procurement Programme has bee n completed and published. [153096]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 9 March 2001]: As indicated in the National Health Service information management and technology procurement review (published by the NHS Executive in June 2000), the South Western regional procurement programme needs to have been judged as successful by means of a post-implementation review before this approach can be recommended nationally.

  In the meantime, however, individual trusts outside South Western region may use a consortium approach to procurement if they wish to do so, and some trusts are doing so at present.

  Blood Donors
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action he is taking to increase the level of blood donations in each of the next five years; [153566]

  (2) what steps he is taking to increase the level of blood donorship in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [154396]

  Mr. Denham
  The National Blood Service (NBS) plans to recruit 420 000 more donors in the financial year 2001 to 2002. Future recruitment of donors will depend on the demands for blood. The NBS target for collection
  241W
  is produced annually based on the success of a rolling marketing and communication plan to maximise blood collection.

  NBS is working to recruit and retain donors by mailing campaigns and television and radio advertising. A new campaign will be launched later this year. These encourage more frequent donation patterns and NBS research has shown that the "Give Blood" message is successful. Communication with donors continues through a series of initiatives which include the NBS magazine "The Donor", sent to donors twice yearly, contacting donors to remind them of their next donor session and further development the NBS website with plans to include on-line invitations to give blood.

  Medical Records
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what circumstances NHS hospitals and trusts may withhold medical records from patients who have requested them; and what recent guidance he has issued to hospitals and trusts on this subject. [153774]

  Ms Stuart
  Medical records can be withheld from a patient where the record contains information that may cause serious harm to the physical or mental health of the patient or any other person or includes confidential information about a third party. Guidance on this issue was issued in 1991 and remains in force.

  Waiting Times
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which health authorities more than one patient in eight has waited over one year for in-patient treatment, excluding day cases, in the last year. [153966]

  Mr. Denham
  The health authorities at which more than one in eight patients on the waiting list for an ordinary admission have been waiting for more than 12 months are shown in the table.

  Health authority1

  Percentage of patients who had waited 12 months or more

  East Surrey

  14.7

  Southampton and South West

  14.2

  Hampshire

  West Sussex

  13.4

  1 At 31 December 2000

  Note:

  1 in 8 = 12.5 per cent.

  Organ and Tissue Retention
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Retained Organs Commission will validate the system to be used by the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust for recording the organs and tissues retained following post mortem. [153948]

  Mr. Denham [holding answer 15 March 2001]
  The Retained Organs Commission (ROC) expects to receive a recommendation from the South East Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive on the accuracy of the cataloguing of retained organs by the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust by 30 April 2001, at 242W
  the latest, in accordance with the guidance issued by the commission on 9 March, a copy of which is at www.nhs.uk/retainedorgans.

  Validation by the ROC of the system used by this trust will depend upon the substance of this recommendation.

  Barnet Health Authority
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about waiting lists in the Barnet health authority area. [154739]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]: The in-patient waiting list at Barnet health authority has fallen from 7,321 at 31 March 1997 to 5,507 at 31 January 2001, (the latest date for which figures are available). This represents a decrease of 25 per cent.

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new measures he plans to introduce to reduce the incidence of(a) overuse and mis-use of medicinal drugs, (b) physical abuse, (c) sexual abuse and (d) neglect of residents of homes for the elderly. [154077]

  Mr. Hutton [holding answer 20 March 2001]
  We are reforming the current regulatory arrangements for care homes and nursing homes for all client groups. The Care Standards Act 2000 establishes a new independent body, the National Care Standards Commission, which will regulate all care homes, whether in the private, voluntary or statutory sector, from April 2002. The commission will register and inspect homes according to national minimum standards. These standards will promote better quality of care and prevent abuse of all kinds by grounding practice on the principles of dignity, choice, privacy and respect.

  They will guarantee residents access to an effective complaints procedure and ensure that residents are cared for by trustworthy, competent and reliable staff, who have been properly trained for this difficult and sensitive job.

  National minimum standards for care homes for older people were published on 2 March 2001. We intend to publish standards for other client groups in homes soon.

  In addition, the Department launched guidance titled `No Secrets' on 20 March 2000, under Section 7 of the Local Authority Services Act 1970. 'No Secrets' deals with developing and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from abuse.

  All prescribing for older people, including those in residential and nursing home care, should be undertaken and monitored carefully by the doctor responsible. The Department published advice in 1998 on prescribing in residential and nursing homes. The National Service Framework for Older People will contribute to improving the care of older people with dementia by setting national standards for health and social care services.

  British Fluoridation Society
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what purposes grants are paid to the British Fluoridation Society Ltd. [152905]
  243W
  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]: Grants are paid to enable the British Fluoridation Society to provide information to health authorities, water undertakers and the general public on technical aspects of water fluoridation projects and the effects of fluoridation on levels of dental decay and overall health.

  Bed Blockers
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department collects weekly figures on the numbers of bed blockers; if he will publish the figures; and how many bed blockers there were on(a) 1 March 2001, (b) 1 February 2001, (c) 1 January 2001, (d) 1 December 2000 and (e) 1 November 2000. [153973]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available for the dates requested. The information on bed blockers is available through Quarterly Monitoring Returns, which are available in the Library.

  Variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about clusters of cases of Variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease. [155227]

  Yvette Cooper
  Ninety-seven 'definite' and 'probable' cases of variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD) have been identified to date. A number of geographically associated case groupings is under investigation, but only one such grouping has so far been identified by the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) in July 2000 as being unlikely to have occurred by chance. That grouping of cases occurred in an area in Leicestershire near Queniborough. A subsequent investigation by Leicestershire health authority into these cases has been undertaken and the results are being announced in a report published today. A copy is being placed in the Library. The main conclusion from the investigation is that there is a strong association between these cases and cross-contamination of carcase meat with cattle brain material which occurred at a number of local butchers' premises during the 1980s.

  Controls on specified risk material (SRM) have, since 1989, required brains of cattle over six months old to be removed and disposed of under controlled conditions. It has been illegal since then for them to be used for human consumption. And, since 1996, it has been a legal requirement for the whole head of cattle over six months old to be disposed of in the slaughterhouse as SRM under the supervision of the Meat Hygiene Service.

  Scientific advisers and health experts, including SEAC, will be looking very carefully at the results of the study, to assess the implications for our wider understanding of vCJD.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues in(a) the Treasury and
  244W
  (b) the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions concerning the economic impact on the tourism industry of foot and mouth disease; [153744]

  (2) what discussions he has had with representatives of the tourism industry regarding the availability of compensation for loss of business resulting from foot and mouth disease; [153743]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the economic impact of foot and mouth disease on the tourism industry. [153745]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement I made in the House on 14 March 2001,Official Report, columns 1021–36 and to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 20 March 2001, Official Report, columns 191–210.

  My hon. Friend the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting has met with industry representatives to discuss the economic difficulties facing the tourism industry on a number of occasions in the last few weeks; she also visited Devon on 14 March to hear firsthand from tourism businesses. I similarly visited Cumbria on 16 and 17 March, and have had a number of meetings with tourism representatives and with ministerial colleagues.

  Hinduja Brothers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who is responsible for making the VAT payment on the donation given by the Hinduja brothers to the Faith Zone of the Millennium Dome. [153733]

  Janet Anderson [holding answer 14 March 2001]
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC), having recently reviewed its papers on the Hinduja Foundation's contribution of £1 million to the Faith zone, concluded that VAT is chargeable in respect of that contribution. NMEC reached this conclusion on the basis that an allocation of free tickets to the Hinduja Foundation represented a benefit. The Company made a voluntary disclosure to HM Customs and Excise. NMEC has now brought this payment into account for VAT purposes and will make the appropriate payment when all related aspects are agreed with HM Customs and Excise. NMEC is satisfied that in respect of the earlier treatment of the Hinduja Foundation's contribution, and the latter allocation of tickets, there was no deliberate attempt by NMEC staff to avoid VAT. There was an innocent error which, having been identified, is now being corrected.

  Churches
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and. Sport what representations he has received on the grant to churches awarded in the recent Budget; how churches can apply; and if he will make a statement. [154567]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My Department has been charged by the Chancellor with taking forward the development of the new grant scheme for listed places of worship. The announcement has attracted considerable interest, and my officials have taken numerous inquiries since the 7 March. It is my intention that the scheme should be operational as early as possible and I will make a further announcement in due course.
  245W

  Underwater Archaeology
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what additional funding will be made available to English Heritage to take account of new responsibilities in relation to underwater archaeology. [154233]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 16 March 2001]: English Heritage's overall grant in aid will be increased by £7 million in 2002–03, and £9 million in 2003–04, partly to take into account the transfer to English Heritage of functions relating to underwater archaeology. English Heritage will also receive £350,000 per year, which represents the sum currently spent by DCMS on underwater archaeology.

  Communications White Paper
  Ms Blears
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what response the Government have received to the White Paper "A New Future for Communications"; and if he will make a statement. [155263]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Some 250 organisations and individuals have submitted general responses to the White Paper which my right hon. Friend hon Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and I announced on 12 December last year.

  The overall thrust of the White Paper was largely welcomed by respondents, and it was notable that the overwhelming majority expressed support for the creation of a new single regulator, an Office of Communications (OFCOM).

  More specific issues attracted a range of views. These responses are being placed on the Communications White Paper website (www. communications whitepaper.gov.uk), except where the respondent requested otherwise.

  In addition, some 6,500 letters and e-mail messages have been received specifically in support of Christian broadcasting and these are also being taken into account.

  A summary of these responses by independent consultants, David Graham & Associates, has also been published on the website and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will give details of the 2001—02 charging schemes for local air pollution control under Part 1 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Local Authority-Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999. [154043]

  Mr. Hill
  Charges to cover the costs of local enforcing authorities in regulating processes which are subject to Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 were introduced in April 1991. Interim charges for processes which are subject to the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 were introduced in August 2000.
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  With the approval of the Treasury, and following consultation with local authority associations and industry, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has made revised schemes for England in respect of Environmental Protection Act and England and Wales in respect of the Pollution Prevention and Control Act. The schemes specify the scale of fees and charges to take effect from 1 April 2001.

  The initial application fee will be unchanged and the annual subsistence fee will be increased by £1 for both schemes. For those processes transferring, in due course, to local authority control under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 there will be an increase of £56 in subsistence charge to cover the production of new technical guidance.

  The Secretary of State was unable to justify an increase in the basic fees and charges from 1 April 2001 because not enough local authorities are undertaking cost accounting for their functions under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and there is insufficient financial information.

  The schemes will be laid before both Houses and copies placed in the Libraries.

  Civil Servants (Accommodation)
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the policy of his Department is towards providing accommodation for departmental civil servants in London. [153784]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 15 March 2001]: My Department does not provide living accommodation for staff working in London or anywhere else in the country. Where there is a business need for staff to work in London, and where this results in their having to move home, staff may be able to benefit from a range of allowances available. For example, financial assistance can be provided towards the costs of searching for new accommodation and towards the costs incurred in moving home. An exception to this involves "Duty Officers" who work a shift system and provide a DETR presence during the weekends and nights. These Duty Officers are not provided with a permanent residence but with temporary sleeping accommodation within one of our headquarter buildings.

  Dual-fuel Vehicles
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he has taken to encourage vehicle manufacturers to produce vehicles with dual-fuel tanks; and if he will make a statement. [154005]

  Mr. Hill
  My Department sponsors the Energy Saving Trust's Powershift programme that provides grants towards the cost of purchasing cleaner fuel vehicles. Thanks to Powershift and the low level of duty on gas fuels, more vehicle manufacturers and aftermarket converters now produce dual-fuel vehicles that can run on both LPG and petrol. My Department is also in close touch with vehicle manufacturers, encouraging them to introduce production-line dual-fuel vehicles. I am pleased to note that several vehicle manufacturers are considering doing so.
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  RAM Scrap Incidents
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Health and Safety Executives database on RAM scrap incidents was established; and how many incidents of radioactively contaminated scrap metal have been recorded on the data base. [154227]

  Mr. Meacher
  In 1996 the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), HSE and the Environment Agency jointly established the Ionising Radiations Incident Database (IRID). This is essentially a voluntary notification scheme under which 'non nuclear' industries report, to NRPB, radiological incidents which could involve occupational or public exposure. IRID does not solely include information about scrap metal incidents. The database is operated by NRPB and HSE holds no separate database.

  The first IRID report, "IRID—Ionising Radiations Incident Database—First Review of Cases Reported and Operation of the Database", published by NRPB in 1999, ISBN 0 85951 436 6, recorded 10 incidents categorised as "recycling of materials".

  Coalmining Communities
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what specific support his Department has provided to coalmining communities since 1997 by(a) region and (b)local authority area. [154305]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Following the report of the Coalfields Task Force in 1997, the Department introduced a range of measures to provide specific support to the coalmining communities. £52 million was allocated to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to support communities from the coalfield areas of England, Scotland and Wales, to which an additional £45 million has recently been agreed for the Trust in England over the three years to March 2005. In addition, English Partnerships and the Regional Development Agencies are delivering the National Coalfields Programme, for which the Department has provided a ringfenced budget of over £380 million, about £126 million of which has already been committed.

  In addition to these coalfield specific programmes, a range of national programmes directly benefit the coalmining communities, including the Single Regeneration Budget, The Housing Investment Programme and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

  A detailed breakdown as requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Policies (Manchester, Gorton)
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Manchester, Gorton constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 17 November 2000. [154497]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The principal funding which this Department has provided to Manchester in 2000—01 is shown in the table. It includes grants and borrowings approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.
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  It is not possible to determine how much money has been spent since November 2000 or how much has been spent in the Gorton constituency. It is for the local authority to decide where within its boundary these resources are applied.

  £ million

  Nature of funding

  2000—01

  Revenue Support Grant

  282.3

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates

  119.6

  Housing Investment Programme

  49.0

  Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval

  4.5

  Electrical Contractors
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to create a statutory UK system of registration for electrical contractors. [154307]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  None. The voluntary National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting already has wide coverage among electrical contractors. The Quality Mark and Constructionline, the Government schemes for assessment and approval of contractors in the domestic and non-domestic sectors, are also operated on a voluntary basis. This gives them the necessary flexibility to react to changing circumstances in their respective markets.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Trasport and the Regions what steps he is taking to promote the consistent use of the construction line system of registration for electrical contracting companies and to void duplication with the Health and Safety Executive's Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme. [154388]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  Constructionline, the Government's register of approved contractors and consultants, is developing co-operative arrangements with the local government-operated Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS). The aim is to encourage clients to make efficient links between Constructionline and the more detailed health and safety database on CHAS and to avoid duplication for contractors which are registering on the two schemes.

  Con cessionary Bus Fares
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce a national scheme of concessionary bus fares for pensioners; and if he will make a statement. [154309]

  Mr. Hill
  [holding answer 19 March 2001]: We have just introduced a national minimum standard for concessionary fares schemes, requiring all authorities to ensure at least half- fare reductions for elderly people on local buses. We have no immediate plans for further standardisation, although we continue to discuss issues of this kind with interested parties.
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  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on rural policy of the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [153323]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government recognise the very serious impact that the outbreak of foot and mouth disease and the restrictions that are necessary to contain it are having on the rural economy generally. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to chair a task force to consider these impacts and to make recommendations on measures to help those caught up in the crisis and to kick start the rural economy once the outbreak has been eradicated. The Government's policies set out in the White Paper "Our countryside: the future (CM 4909)" published in December 2000, will set the framework for the well-being of our rural areas in the longer term.

  Hybrid Bills
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy

  £ million

  Nature of funding

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Revenue Support Grant1

  6.7

  6.6

  6.6

  6.5

  7.0

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates1

  4.3

  4.4

  4.7

  5.2

  5.2

  Revenue Support Grant2

  2.7

  2.6

  2.7

  2.6

  2.9

  Income from National Non-Domestic Rates2

  3.3

  3.3

  3.6

  4.0

  3.9

  Housing Investment Programme3

  1.8

  2.0

  2.3

  3.9

  4.3

  Capital Receipts Initiative3

  n/a

  1.0

  1.1

  n/a

  n/a

  Cash Incentive Scheme3

  0

  0

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  Housing Investment Programme4

  1.3

  1.1

  1.2

  1.5

  1.1

  Capital Receipts Initiative4

  n/a

  0.5

  0.5

  n/a

  n/a

  Cash Incentive Scheme4

  0

  0

  0

  n/a

  n/a

  ERDF Funding—Lancashire5

  0.8

  0.3

  1.7

  0

  0

  ERDF Funding—Lancaster

  0.05

  0.2

  0

  0

  0

  ERDF Funding—Wyre

  0

  0.02

  0

  0

  0

  Transport Supplementary Grant

  3.7

  1.7

  2.9

  0

  0

  Transport Annual Capital Guideline

  2.1

  1.6

  1.5

  0

  0

  Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval6

  4.9

  3.1

  5.2

  611.0

  28.0

  1 Figures for Lancaster city council. These figures have not been adjusted to make year on year comparisons.

  2 Figures for Wyre borough council. These figures have not been adjusted to make year on year comparisons.

  3 Figures for Lancashire county council

  4 Figures of Wyre borough council

  5 Some of the Lancashire projects are county-wide and therefore some of the grant shown may have gone to Lancaster or Wyre.

  6 2000—01—This figure is from Lancashire county council's provisional Local Transport Plan settlement.

  Highways Agency
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Highways Agency will publish its annual report and accounts for 1999—2000. [154910]

  Mr. Hill
  The Highways Agency annual report and accounts 1999—2000 has been published today and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Local Government Finance
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the 250W
  to ensure that (a) an environmental assessment and (b) an informal public inquiry are carried out in respect of hybrid Bills before they are introduced. [154679]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  My Department has not introduced a hybrid Bill during this Parliament. However, hybrid Bills are subject to the same pre-parliamentary processes as other Bills, which includes environmental assessments.

  Departmental Policies (Lancaster and Wyre)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Lancaster and Wyre constituency, the effect on Lancaster and Wyre of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154684]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  The Lancaster and Wyre constituency has benefited from funding provided to Lancaster city council, Wyre borough council and Lancashire county council. It is for the local authorities to decide where within their areas these resources are invested.

  The principal funding which this Department has provided in 1997—98 to 2000—01 are shown in the table. These include grants and borrowings approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.

  Government plans to implement the proposed reform of the local authority capital finance system set out in the Green Paper, "Modernising Local government Finances"; and if he will make a statement. [155121]

  Ms Armstrong
  Consultees have overwhelmingly endorsed our proposals to abolish the present system of local authority capital controls and replace it with the prudential system described in the Green Paper. Legislation will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows. The new system will rely heavily on professional regulation and my Department has agreed to provide financial support to the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy who will draft the
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  necessary professional Code. Work on that and on other detailed development of the system will be taken forward immediately.

  Under the new system local authorities will be free to invest in their communities without having to get permission each time from central Government. The consultation confirmed our view that the proposed safeguards in the system will ensure that authorities do not run up unsustainable levels of debt, and that the increased flexibility will allow them to deliver better value for money, including through partnership working.

  East Midlands (Planning)
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish his response to the recommendations of the independent panel that conducted the public examination of the draft regional planning guidance for the east Midlands; and if he will make a statement. [155260]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has today published for consultation proposed changes to the draft Regional Planning Guidance for the east Midlands. These are largely based on the recommendations of the independent panel that held a public examination into draft RPG last summer.

  In October 2000 my right hon. Friend published new guidance on regional planning in Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) Note 11. This followed the announcement of a new approach to planning for housing provision last March which was taken forward in more detail in revised Planning Policy Guidance Note 3. Important issues for the region to take forward are contained in the Urban and Rural White Papers issued last November. The proposed changes to the draft RPG for the east Midlands reflect the principles and priorities set out in these statements. They aim to support economic growth and regeneration while protecting and enhancing the region's environment.

  For housing, the regional allocation and those for each structure plan area are now expressed as annual averages to reflect the requirements in PPG3 and PPG11 for annual bench marks, rather than a fixed total. Adjustments can then be made regularly as required by the "plan monitor and manage" approach. The regional allocation of 13,900 a year should meet expected needs. We are proposing a small reduction for Lincolnshire of 200 a year over the draft to discourage long distance commuting across the regional boundary into East Anglia and reduce the pressure for developing greenfield sites.

  We agree with the panel's recommendation that 60 per cent. of housing completions should be on previously developed land by 2008. The regional planning body will be invited to develop sub regional targets to allow for variations in local circumstances while still aiming for 60 per cent. at the regional level. We propose to adopt the panel's recommended annual rate of 3,400 dwellings a year as an appropriate indicator for monitoring whether affordable housing need is being met.

  The panel considered that a new business park near to the East Midlands Airport and Junction 24 (M1) in addition to the existing commitments for business development there, could undermine regeneration of nearby urban areas, in particular Nottingham, Derby and
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  Leicester. We agree with the panel, as we are not persuaded that sufficient limitations on occupation are possible through the planning system to avoid harmful displacement of economic activity from those urban areas.

  Draft RPG proposed designating two major investment sites (sites of at least 50has and capable of being safeguarded for a single user). We propose to adopt the panel recommendation that no new greenfield sites should be promoted for this purpose until a comprehensive analysis has been carried out of the quantity and quality of the existing supply of employment land.

  We make it clear that there should be no variation across the region in the systematic approach to selecting sites for development so as not to damage the credibility of the RPG and to maintain consistency with the sustainable development objectives of national policy. We agree that the coalfields are a priority for regeneration. The outcome of applying a systematic approach to the selection of sites might be that some greenfield development would occur, but only if that is the most sustainable option in the context of local circumstances and the priority for employment development.

  We agree with the panel that car parking standards should be consistent with those in Draft PPG13, and should be applied across the region to all new employment development but above certain thresholds.

  The consultation period on the proposed changes will be for 12 weeks ending on 15 June. Views are invited and should be made to the Government Office for the east Midlands. Copies of all the relevant documents have been placed in the House Library and made available to the region's MPs.

  Sports Planning
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he has issued about planning for sport, open space and recreation. [155261]

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  I am today issuing a consultation paper which proposes new, more robust planning policies for sport, open space and recreation. The proposed revision of Planning Policy Guidance note 17 Sport and Recreation (PPG17) follows our commitment in the Urban and Rural White Papers to creating more sustainable communities that offer a better quality of life.

  The draft guidance contains key messages that planning authorities must take into account in preparing their plans and in making planning decisions. It advises authorities to:
  conduct assessments of the need for sport, open space and recreational provision in their areas;
  plan for additional sports and recreation facilities including playing fields, open spaces, parks, sports centres and stadia where there is an identified shortfall;
  protect the existing range of open air and built recreation facilities which are of value to local communities. Authorities should resist the development of open space unless it can be shown that it is not needed for outdoor recreation;
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  ensure that new developments are provided with attractive, good quality sports and recreation facilities;
  locate facilities so that they are accessible by walking, cycling and public transport: and
  locate "intensive" recreation facilities such as indoor sports centres in or on the edge of town centres where possible so that they can lend vitality to them.

  It is essential to their quality of life that people have access to open space and a wide range of sporting and recreational facilities. We are proposing a systematic assessment procedure to assist local authorities in determining whether any shortfall in the provision of open space, sports or recreational facilities exists in their areas. This will help them in planning to remedy any deficiencies. The draft guidance reinforces current measures to safeguard existing open space and further protects playing fields, which are vital to the health and well being of our young people, as well as benefiting the wider community.

  Copies of the consultation draft of PPG17 have been placed in the Library and Vote Office. It will be sent to local planning authorities, developers, sporting organisations and other interested parties, and responses to the draft guidance are invited by Friday 15 June.

  Countryside Planning
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has, following publication of the white Paper "Our Countryside: the Future", to clarify planning policy guidance for the countryside; and if he will make a statement. [155262]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A competitive and sustainable agricultural industry is vital to the economic, social and environmental well-being of rural areas. The Prime Minister's Action "Plan for Farming" and the White Paper "Our Countryside: the Future" emphasised the Government's desire both for agriculture to be prosperous, forward-looking and sustainable, and to encourage diversification and enterprise. Reform of the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is changing the direction of agriculture and the England Rural Development Programme provides a major switch of CAP funds to support the new approach.

  Planning policies for the countryside are set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 7, "The Countryside: Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development" (PPG7). That guidance is now four-years-old and needs to be clarified in respect of the Government's policy on farm diversification. I am therefore amending the text of the guidance to reflect the importance that the Government attach to effective planning for sustainable farm diversification projects and the re-use of redundant farm buildings.

  The first point in paragraph 2.8 of PPG7 is amended as follows:
  "encourage rural enterprise, including the diversification of farm businesses;"

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  Paragraph 3.4 no longer adequately reflects the significant changes now shaping the agricultural industry. I am therefore deleting the current text and replacing it with the following:
  "3.4A—The Government's long term strategy for farming was set out in "A New Direction for Agriculture" published in December 1999 and was taken a step further with the launch of the "Action Plan for Farming" in March 2000. The England Rural Development Programme (ERDP) was launched in October 2000. Together, these are providing opportunities to help the industry become more competitive and diverse and to promote environmental aims. Farming continues to make a significant contribution to the economy of rural areas but increasingly diversification into non-agricultural activities is vital to the continuing viability of many farm businesses. Local planning authorities should set out in their development plans the criteria to be applied to planning applications for farm diversification projects. Local planning authorities should be supportive of well-conceived farm diversification schemes for business purposes that are consistent in their scale with their rural location.
  3.4B—The ERDP will, through the Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES) and the Processing and Marketing Grant (PMG), provide support for selected diversification proposals, subject to competition. Success in securing RES and PMG funding may depend upon obtaining prior planning permission for diversification proposals, but the potential availability of any grant funding is not a material consideration when determining a relevant planning application. Further guidance on development related to agriculture (other than that covered by permitted development rights) and to farm diversification is given in Annex C, which includes a non-exclusive list of examples of potential farm diversification. It is usually preferable for farm diversification schemes to re-use good quality existing buildings and put them to a new business use, rather than build new buildings in the countryside. New buildings, either to replace existing buildings or to accommodate expansion of enterprises, may also be acceptable provided that they satisfy sustainable development objectives and are of a design and scale appropriate to their rural surroundings."

  Planning guidance relating to the protection of England's best quality agricultural land is also contained in PPG7. The Rural White Paper signalled the Government's intention that decisions about the development or protection of best and most versatile agricultural land (BMV land) should rest with local authorities. Additionally, the Draft Soil Strategy for England, which we published for consultation on 6 March, sets out our wider proposals for protecting and managing our soil resources.

  Paragraphs 2.17 and 2.18 of PPG7 are therefore withdrawn and the following paragraphs should be substituted:
  "2.17—Development of greenfield land, including the best and most versatile agricultural land (defined as land in grades 1, 2, and 3a of the Agricultural Land Classification), should not be permitted unless opportunities have been assessed for accommodating development on previously-developed sites and on land within the boundaries of existing urban areas (see PPG3 in respect of housing development). Where development of agricultural land is unavoidable, local planning authorities should seek to use areas of poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality, except where other sustainability considerations suggest otherwise. These might include, for example, its importance for biodiversity, the quality and character of the landscape, its amenity value or heritage interest, accessibility to infrastructure, workforce and markets, and the protection of natural resources, including soil quality. Some of these qualities

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  may be recognised by a statutory wildlife, landscape, historic or archaeological designation, such as a National Park or Site of Special Scientific Interest.
  2.18—Local authorities planning to allow the development of greenfield land, where soil or agricultural quality is a consideration, should seek advice from MAFF and from other relevant bodies such as English Nature, the Countryside Agency, the Environment Agency or English Heritage as appropriate. They may also be required to consult one or more of these agencies of any intention to allow development under the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995, and in respect of development plan proposals as described in Annex C to PPG12. The decision whether to utilise BMV land for development is for each local planning authority, having carefully weighed the options in the light of competent advice."

  MAFF will continue to provide technical advice to local planning authorities on agricultural land quality issues and other matters relating to agricultural development as described in Annex B to PPG7. My Department expects to issue good practice guidance on methodologies for integrating competing sustainability considerations later this year. In due course the Government expect to repeal the statutory right available to the Minister of Agriculture under section 18(3) and 44(3) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to require the Secretary of State to intervene in development plans to which MAFF have unresolved objections.

  My Department will be writing to every planning authority in England to inform them of the clarification of PPG7 set out in this statement and a version of PPG7 which consolidates these and other changes already announced will be posted on the Department's website at: www.planning.detr.gov.uk. Other planning policy guidance notes and mineral policy guidance notes that refer to PPG7 should be read in conjunction with this statement.

  Integrated Transport Planning
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to announce the designation of Centres of Excellence for Integrated Transport Planning. [154899]

  Mr. Hill
  We are today designating 14 Centres of Excellence for Integrated Transport Planning.

  The Centre of Excellence initiative is aimed at recognising the efforts of local authorities in taking forward the planning of integrated transport at the local level and reflects the importance of spreading good practice.

  invited bids from all transport authorities in England (outside London). Having assessed the bids received we have awarded the following local transport authorities or groups of authorities Centre of Excellence status for the period covered by their current local transport plans:

  Bristol city council

  Devon county council

  Hampshire county council

  Hertfordshire county council

  Nottingham city council

  Nottinghamshire county council

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  Oxfordshire county council

  Surrey county council

  Warrington borough council

  City of York council

  Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and the metropolitan district councils in the Greater Manchester area

  Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority and the metropolitan district councils in the Merseyside area

  South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority and the metropolitan district councils in the South Yorkshire area

  West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority and the metropolitan district councils in the West Yorkshire area.

  My Department has also today published "Transport 2010: Meeting the Local Transport Challenge" which sets out how the local transport settlement announced on 14 December 2000, Official Report, column 202W, contributes to the achievement of our local transport objectives established in "Transport 2010: The 10 Year Transport Plan".

  Copies of the document have been placed in the Library of both Houses and are available from the Vote Office.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Departmental Policies (Manchester, Gorton)
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Manchester, Gorton constituency of her Department's policies and actions since 6 November 2000. [154501]

  Jane Kennedy
  Generally the Lord Chancellor's Department is responsible for the administration of the courts and for legal services. Over the last four years we have taken steps to improve the management and effectiveness of the services we provide and to meet customer needs, including working closely with other agencies to provide a fair, swift and effective system of justice, improve the availability of affordable and good quality legal services and to improve the lives of children and help build and sustain strong families. This is an ongoing process.

  In December 2000 a business case for a new Civil Justice Centre for Manchester was approved. Work will now be taken forward to provide the new facilities by 2004—05.

  The Manchester Community Legal Service Partnership (CLSP), which covers the Manchester, Gorton constituency, is one of 165 CLSPs throughout England and Wales.

  Throughout the Manchester, Gorton constituency, nine law firms and one Law Centre have been awarded contracts with the Legal Services Commission whose current value amounts to over £476,000. This represents a decrease in funding based on the figures for November 2000.

  The broad reason for the decrease is that clients are choosing to attend Not-for-Profit agencies for assistance with social welfare law issues. Consequently across the Greater Manchester area, the total value of contracts awarded to local Citizens' Advice Bureaux (CAB),

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  including the two CABx in the Manchester, Gorton area and Shelter, has increased to £622.388. A portion of that money will therefore be spent in assisting Gorton constituents.

  Additionally, the Trustee Act 2000 same into force on 1 February this year. It sweeps away the restrictive default investment powers granted to trustees, including charitable trustees, by the Trustee Investments Act 1961. They are replaced by a much wider investment discretion for the trustees and the power to make use of modern investment practices. These new powers will continue to be exercisable as default powers by trusts and charities whose founding documents give no or no sufficient investment powers themselves, and contain no restrictions which forbid the taking of such powers. It is expected that older trusts and charities will be the most likely to benefit. There are three or four charities on the Register of Charities associated with Gorton by name, and no doubt many more trusts, charitable and otherwise associated with the area. It is not possible to say which of them might benefit, but the potential for benefit is there for all of them.

  Departmental Policies (Lancaster and Wyre)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Lancaster and Wyre constituency, the effect on Lancaster and Wyre of her Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154680]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Lord Chancellor's Department is responsible for the administration of the courts and for legal services. We have taken steps to improve the management and effectiveness of the services we provide and to meet customer needs, including working closely with other agencies to provide a fair, swift and effective

  Performance indicator

  Target 2001—02 (%)

  KPI 1

  The quality of service provided to court users

  88

  KPI 2

  The percentage of administrative work in the civil courts processed within target time

  94

  KPI 3

  The percentage of Crown court defendants/appellants whose cases begin within target time

  78

  KPI 4

  Percentage of asylum appeals completed (through both tiers of IAA) within 4 months

  65

  KPI 5

  Percentage of value recovered of enforceable (correctly directed) warrants

  72

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Beef Prices
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what discussions he is having with abattoirs in respect of the cuts in price being paid to farmers for beef; [153186]

  (2) what steps he is taking to ensure that farmers receive a higher price for beef following the foot and mouth epidemic; [153183]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the price being paid by abattoirs for beef; [153184]

  (4) what help and assistance he can give to farmers to compensate for the collapse in the beef price at abattoirs. [153185]
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  system of justice, improve the availability of affordable and good quality legal services and to improve the lives of children and help build and sustain strong families.

  In particular, the constituency of Lancaster and Wyre is part of the North-West Lancashire Community Legal Service Partnership. The partnership is recently formed and is in the process of agreeing its priorities for future funding.

  The current annual Legal Services Commission expenditure for the partnership on Civil Legal Help is £451,100.

  Also, the Trustee Act 2000 came into force on 1 February this year. It sweeps away the restrictive default investment powers granted to trustees, including charitable trustees, by the Trustee Investments Act 1961. They are replaced by a much wider investment discretion for the trustees and the power to make use of modern investment practices. These new powers will continue to be exercisable as default powers by trusts and charities whose founding documents give no, or no sufficient, investment powers themselves, and contain no restrictions which forbid the taking of such powers. It is expected that older trusts and charities will be the most likely to benefit. There are over 500 charities on the Register of Charities associated with Lancaster and Wyre by name, and no doubt many more trusts, charitable and otherwise associated with the area. It is not possible to say which of them might benefit, but the potential for benefit is there for all of them.

  Court Service
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the key performance targets are for the Court Service Executive Agency for 2001–02. [155346]

  Jane Kennedy
  The table illustrates the key performance targets that the Lord Chancellor has set the Court Service for 2001–02.

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: MAFF officials are in regular contact with abattoir representatives over the new Licensing for Slaughter scheme and are monitoring prices regularly. Official deadweight price reporting for beef has now been re-established and beef prices have shown a slight decline of up to 3 per cent. It has to be borne in mind that abattoirs have additional costs and up to 50 per cent. reduced throughput to contend with under the new scheme. My right hon. Friend's first priority is to eradicate foot and mouth disease. The Licensing for Slaughter scheme is there to release pressure on producers and get meat supplies moving again. My right hon. Friend has already asked all in the supply chain to behave in a spirit of mutual commercial co-operation. The market situation is being kept under review.
  259W

  Sand Eels
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if industrial fishing for sand eels is prohibited in closed cod-spawning areas; and if he will make a statement. [154588]

  Mr. Morley
  A derogation is allowed for sand eel fishing in the spawning cod closed areas, subject to strict conditions on monitoring and control, but not for fishing for Norway pout, which involves a higher whitefish bycatch. The estimated bycatch of cod in the sand eel fishery is less than 2 per cent.

  GM Crops
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what commercial activities are prescribed by the voluntary agreement with the GM industry on GM crop trials. [144375]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: I have been asked to reply.

  The Government and the industry body SCIMAC made a voluntary agreement in November 1999 on the conduct of the farm-scale evaluations of certain GM crops. Under the terms of this agreement:
  "There will be no widespread planting leading to general market access of GM crops grown in the UK until the farm-scale evaluations are complete.
  For the duration of the farm-scale evaluations, no direct commercial benefit will be sought from these plantings by the consent-holders."

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if the voluntary agreement with the GM industry on the conduct of crop trials in the United Kingdom(a) covers trials licensed under a Part C consent and (b) allows the harvesting and storage of GM seed from trial sites before the completion of the crop trials; [144371]

  (2) if fertile seed is being harvested from GM trial sites in the United Kingdom and stored. [144367]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 8 January 2001]: I have been asked to reply.

  The Government and the industry body SCIMAC made a voluntary agreement in November 1999 on the conduct of the farm scale evaluations of certain GM crops.

  The agreement covers all GM crops including those with Part C consent under European directive 90/220. At present one of the crops involved in the evaluations, herbicide tolerant maize, has a Part C consent.

  The Part B consents permitting the oil seed rape, fodder beet and sugar beet to be grown in the farm scale evaluations require the crops to be destroyed on harvest. The maize in the evaluations, which has a Part C consent, is a forage variety which would be harvested for silage not seeds. The terms of the approval for herbicide use on the maize does not permit it to enter the food or feed chain and the crop is destroyed on harvest.

  The agreement does not permit any other field scale plantings of these crops without the approval of the Scientific Steering Committee who will take account of the relevance of the proposals to biodiversity.
  260W
  A number of Part B consents for small scale plantings of other GM crops are currently in force. Each specifies the fate of the crop at the end of the trial and some permit the saving of seed for further research or testing.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Higher Education
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the participation rate in higher education for 18 to 24-year-olds in each UK nation and Government office region in each of the last five years. [145254]

  Mr. Wicks
  [holding answer 15 January 2001]: Participation rates are not routinely collated below national level. The available figures for the four home countries, showing the proportion of under 21-year-olds who enter higher education for the first time, are given in the table. A higher proportion of young people from Scotland and Northern Ireland enter HE than from England and Wales. This is largely due to high levels of participation in Diplomas, Certificates and other similar undergraduate qualifications in these countries. There was an increase in the Great Britain index in 1997–98 related partly to changes in the funding arrangements for higher education, with students choosing to enter HE rather than wait until 1998–99. There was a corresponding reduction in 1998–99 before the entry rates started to increase again in 1999–2000. Between 1996–97 and 1999–2000, total students rose by 76,000 in England and by 89,000 in Great Britain.

  Age participation index (API)' by country

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–20002

  England

  n/a

  32

  29

  30

  Wales

  n/a

  32

  30

  29

  Scotland

  n/a

  46

  44

  43

  Northern Ireland

  n/a

  44

  40

  42

  Great Britain

  33

  33

  31

  32

  1The API is defined as the number of GB domiciled initial entrants to full-time and sandwich undergraduate HE aged under 21, expressed as a percentage of the average number of 18 and 19-year-olds in the population

  2Provisional

  Note:

  n/a = Not available

  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students were in higher education in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 2000–01. [154391]

  Mr. Wicks
  The available data are given in the table. Figures for 2000–01 will be available at the end of April.

  Higher education students in England1

  Thousand

  Academic year

  Number

  1996–97

  1,534

  1999–2000

  1,610

  1Full-time and part-time, undergraduate and postgraduate, home and overseas, including the Open University

  261W
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average level of Government funding was per student in higher education in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 2000–01. [154392]

  Mr. Wicks
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton West (Ms Kelly) on 6 March 2001,Official Report, columns 164–65W.

  University Salaries
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average salary increase was for(a) university vice-chancellors and principals and (b) university academic and academic-related staff in (i) 2000–01, (ii) 1999–2000, (iii) 1998–99, (iv) 1997–98 and (v) 1996–97; and if he will make a statement. [149877]

  Mr. Wicks
  Available figures from the New Earnings Survey for the earnings increases of university teaching professionals, covering lecturers in both pre and post 1992 universities, are:

  Year

  Percentage

  1999–2000

  2.9

  1998–99

  2.0

  1998–98

  3.2

  1996–97

  5.6

  1995–96

  –0.1

  No data are held centrally on Vice-Chancellors' pay.

  New Deal (Wildcat)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 8 March 2001,Official Report, column 299W, on New Deal, (1) if he will list the companies which have been approached by (a) his Department's, (i) Ministers and (ii) officials and (b) New Deal Taskforce in order to solicit payments to fund Wildcat's services to his Department, indicating the date of each approach; [153686]

  (2) if he will list the payments which have been made to Wildcat by his Department, indicating the date of each payment; [153687]

  (3) if he will list the companies which have contributed funds to his Department for onward transmission to Wildcat, indicating the amount in each case and the date on which each payment was received. [153688]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 13 March 2001]: The following companies provided funds via the New Deal Taskforce to Wildcat Corporation.

  Company

  Amount(£)

  Date

  Microsoft

  35,000

  3 July 2000

  Credit Suisse First Boston

  20,000

  28 July 2000

  KPMG

  20,000

  3 August 2000

  Freshfields

  20,000

  3 August 2000

  The Rockefeller Foundation

  6,500

  September 2000

  Morgan Stanley Dean Witter

  20,000

  114 September 2000

  Prudential

  20,000

  12 October 2000

  Deloitte and Touche

  20,000

  17 October 2000

  HSBC

  20,000

  13 December 2000

  Salomon Brothers

  20.000

  15 March 2001

  1Sent directly to Wildcat

  New Deal
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) black and (b) Asian people have taken part in the New Deal employment scheme; what percentages of (i) black, (ii) Asian and (iii) white unemployed people have found employment through it in each borough of Shropshire; and if he will make a statement. [154507]

  Ms Jowell
  The New Deals have had a valuable impact on many local communities, tackling unemployment, and the long-lasting damage that it can cause, with a new and innovative approach. Latest figures, to the end of December 2000, for Shropshire show the following take-up of New Deal given in the tables:

  New Deal for young people statistics—to December 2000

  Great Britain

  Starts

  White

  465,10

  Black

  32,300

  Asian

  36,400

  Shropshire unit of delivery

  Starts

  Total jobs

  As a percentage of starts

  White

  2,679

  1.492

  56

  Black

  24

  11

  46

  Asian

  49

  32

  65

  New Deal 25+statistics—to December 2000

  Great Britain

  Starts

  White

  356,749

  Black

  21,338

  Asian

  11,938

  Shropshire unit of delivery

  Starts

  Total jobs

  As a percentage of starts

  White

  1,410

  214

  15

  Black

  17

  12

  —

  Asian

  110

  11

  —

  1Figures less than 10 make percentages unreliable.

  New Deal for lone parents statistics—to December 2000

  Great Britain

  Starts

  White

  129,506

  Black

  8,624

  Asian

  2,343

  Shropshire unit of delivery

  Starts

  Total jobs

  As a percentage of starts

  White

  1,172

  433

  37

  Black

  16

  18

  —

  Asian

  10

  12

  —

  1Figures less than 10 make percentages unreliable

  263W
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people in Shrewsbury and Atcham have benefited from the New Deal since last May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [154658]

  Ms Jowell
  In the period from the start of the New Deal for Young People, April 1998 to December 2000, there have been 478 starts to the programme in Shrewsbury and Atcham. Of these, 240 young people have gained employment from the programme.

  Nationally, in addition to the 274,000 young people recorded as gaining jobs, we estimate a further 83,000 young people gained jobs from New Deal.

  Performance-related Pay (Wales)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers in Wales have not handed in the application form for performance-related pay. [154553]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The final deadline for teachers in Wales to hand in their threshold application forms has not yet passed, so we do not currently know how many will, or will not, hand in application forms.

  Specialist Schools (Norfolk)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many specialist schools(a) have been and (b) are planned to be established in Norfolk. [154645]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  There are 10 specialist schools in Norfolk: six Technology Colleges, two Sports Colleges, one Arts College and one Sports College. So far as plans are concerned, it is for individual schools in Norfolk to decide whether it is appropriate to make a specialist school application.

  Foot and Mouth
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what contingency arrangements he has made for(a) the conduct of public examinations and (b) the assessment of coursework (i) related to land use and (ii) of a more general nature, on account of the current foot and mouth disease situation. [154677]

  Mr. Wicks
  The Department is liaising closely with the awarding bodies on the impact of the foot and mouth emergency on public examinations. The awarding bodies have already announced that where students are unable to travel to their schools and colleges to complete assessments/examinations because of MAFF restrictions, special consideration arrangements will apply and candidates will be considered for aegrotat awards. The awarding bodies have also announced that they will agree to alternative arrangements where students are unable to complete fieldwork and coursework assignments because of restrictions on access to land. Both announcements have been placed on the awarding bodies' websites. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.

  Class Sizes (Shrewsbury and Atcham)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each primary
  264W
  school in Shrewsbury and Atcham the number of classes containing over 30 pupils on (a) 1 May 1997 and (b) the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [15,1701]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information on class sizes at individual schools is not normally published. However, in January 1997 20.1 per cent. of Key Stage 1 classes in Shrewsbury and Atcham had 31 or more pupils. By September 2000 the figure was zero. In January 1997 42 per cent. of the Key Stage 2 classes in the constituency had 31 or more pupils. By January 2000 the figure had dropped to 25.7 per cent. The size of the average Key Stage 2 class in the constituency fell over this period from 28.7 to 27.3.

  We are delivering our infant class size pledge, including in Shropshire. The local education authority has received £3.6 million to support the initiative, and had met the 30 limit in full as early as September 2000. At the same time, the size of the average Key Stage 2 class in the Authority fell from 29.1 in January 1997 to 28.3 in January 2000. Primary headteachers will receive an average £24,000 in direct funding in 2001–02 to spend as they choose—including on reducing class sizes further if that is a priority.

  Labour Statistics (Hendon)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many adult long-term unemployed there are in Hendon; and how many there were in May 1997 .[154733]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]: As at 8 February 2001 there were 762 people in the constituency of Hendon, aged 18 or over, unemployed for six months or more and claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. The comparable figure as at May 1997 was 1792.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many long-term young unemployed there are in Hendon; how many there were in May 1997; how many have benefited from each of the New Deal options; and if he will make a statement. [154734]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]: As at 8 February 2001 there were 84 people in the constituency of Hendon aged 18–24, unemployed for six months or more and claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. The comparable figure as at May 1997 was 309.

  Since the start of the New Deal for Young People in April 1998, 19 have started the employment option; 159 the Full Time Education and Training option; 32 the Voluntary Sector option; and 9 the Environment Taskforce option in Hendon as at the end of December 2000.

  Departmental Policies (Norwich, North)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Norwich, North constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997 [151143]

  Mr. Wills
  Details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Norwich. North constituency and on Norwich LEA have
  been placed in the Library.
  265W

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Insurance
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary.of State for Social Security what the cost of insurance incurred by his Department was to cover its buildings and employees in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000 and (d) 2000–01 in Scotland. [154443]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 20 March 2001]: On 1 April 1998 all of the Department's buildings in Scotland were transferred under the PRIME contract to the private sector consortium Trillium. The insurance cover of the buildings is now a matter for Trillium.

  Prior to 1 April 1998, the insurance charges for any sites the Department occupied under a lease would have been paid by landlords and where appropriate passed on to the Department via the service charge. Details of the cost of this to the Department in 1997–98 are not available. Additionally, all departmental buildings owned by the Department were covered by Crown Indemnity and the Department was not required to provide any insurance cover for these buildings.

  The principles of Crown Indemnity apply equally to all forms of compulsory insurance. The Department is therefore exempt from providing any insurance cover for its employees.

  Minimum Income Guarantee
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Wales(a) have applied for and (b) receive the Minimum Income Guarantee. [154549]

  Mr. Rooker
  Between April 2000 and January 2001, 26,802 pensioners have applied for the Minimum Income Guarantee in Wales. There are approximately 97,000 pensioners receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee in Wales.

  Notes:

  1. The figure is based on a 5 per cent.sample and is therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.

  2. The figure is rounded to the nearest hundred and expressed in thousands.

  3. Pensioners are defined as benefit units where the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 and over.

  Sources:

  Management Information Statistics

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 2000

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Wales are eligible for the Minimum Income Guarantee. [154550]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information we hold is as follows.

  There are approximately 97,000 pensioners receiving Minimum Income Guarantee (MEG) in Wales.

  Notes:

  1. The figure is based on a 5 per cent. sample and is therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.

  2. The figure is rounded to the nearest hundred and expressed in thousands.

  3. Pensioners are defined as benefit units where the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 and over.
  266W
  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 2000.

  Ms Harman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in London are(a) eligible for and (b) in receipt of the Minimum Income Guarantee. [154171]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information we hold is as follows.

  There are approximately 207,000 pensioners receiving Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) in London.

  Notes:

  1. Cases have been allocated to each London Government Office Region by matching the postcode against the 2000 version 2 of the Postcode Directory.

  2. The figure is based on a 5 per cent. sample and is therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.

  3. The figure is rounded to the nearest hundred and expressed in thousands.

  4. Pensioners are defined as benefit units where the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 and over.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 2000.

  Welfare Reform (Disabled People)
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the measures in his welfare reform programme which will assist disabled people to take up work. [154280]

  Mr. Bayley
  We have put a number of measures in place to remove barriers to work for disabled people. These include higher earnings disregards in the Independent Living Funds and improvements to the linking and therapeutic earnings rules in Incapacity Benefit. We are also piloting Capability Reports as part of the Personal Capability Assessment, which we introduced in April 2000.

  We have introduced the Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC) to help make work pay. In the Budget my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an increase in DPTC from June and this, combined with increases in the National Minimum Wage in October, will raise the guaranteed minimum income for a disabled person moving into work of 35 hours per week or more to £170 a week for a single person, and £257 a week for a couple with one child.

  Furthermore, we are extending the New Deal for Disabled People across Great Britain. From July 2001 a national network of Job Brokers will be set up jointly by the Department of Social Security and the Department for Education and Employment to offer people receiving incapacity benefits the support, guidance and preparation they need to find paid work and move off benefit dependence, continuing to test and assess what works best.

  Alongside the national extension, in early 2002 we will be starting New Deal for Disabled People Job Retention and Rehabilitation Pilots jointly with the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Health. These pilots will test the relative effectiveness of different employment and health interventions in reducing the number of people forced to give up work through prolonged illness or disability.
  267W
  The national extension and Job Retention and Rehabilitation pilots draw on lessons learnt from the pilot phase of the New Deal for Disabled People which, by the end of January 2001, has helped over 6,500 people into work.

  Departmental policies (Sutton and Cheam)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Sutton and Cheam constituency, the effects on Sutton and Cheam of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154414]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department's policies and initiatives have made a significant contribution to the Government's overall objectives of:

  Eradicating child poverty in 20 years, and halving it within 10;

  Promoting work as the best form of welfare for people of working age while protecting the position of those in greatest need; and,

  Combating poverty and promoting security and independence in retirement for today's and tomorrow's pensioners.

  These goals are being pursued nationwide and our achievements are set out in our annual "Opportunity for all" reports. Our second report, "Opportunity for all—One year on: making a difference" (CM4865, September 2000) sets out what progress has been made in the past year, as well as highlighting what more needs to be done. Nationwide statistical information is necessarily more complete than constituency level data, but the following provides a comparative guide to the effect of the Department's policies and actions in Sutton and Cheam since May 1997.

  Measures in our five Budgets so far will lift over 1.2 million children out of poverty. These include record increases to Child Benefit, the introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit, increases in the income-related benefits, the minimum wage and tax changes.

  Child Benefit will be worth £15.50 a week for the eldest child and £10.35 a week for other children from April 2001: nationally about 7 million families receive Child Benefit, and in Sutton and Cheam 9,661 families benefit.

  We now have the lowest unemployment rate in 25 years. The New Deals have helped lone parents, the young unemployed, the long-term unemployed, the over 50s and partners of the unemployed to move from benefit into work. In the period since May 1997 the number of people claiming Jobseekers' Allowance nationally has reduced from 1,562,400 to 960,600; in Sutton and Cheam the number has reduced from 1,200 to 800. Since May 1997 the number of lone parents who claim Income Support has decreased from 1,013,500 to 894,100 nationally and in Sutton and Cheam from 700 to 500.

  Older people are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty. So we have introduced Winter Fuel Payments to help with their heaviest fuel bill. This winter, the payment is £200 for households who qualify. Around 16,400 older people in Sutton and Cheam have received a Winter Fuel Payment for this winter.
  268W
  To demonstrate our commitment to combating pensioner poverty, this year we will spend £4.5 billion extra in real terms on pensioners. Some 15,600 pensioners in Sutton and Cheam will benefit from the substantial increases in the basic State pension this April and next; this year's increase is £5 a week for single pensioners and £8 for couples. In addition we have introduced free TV licences for the over 75s of whom we estimate there are about 7,200 in Sutton and Cheam. 1,700 pensioner families in Sutton and Cheam are receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee, which we introduced in April 1999 to help our poorest pensioners. From April they will be at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms as a result of Government measures since 1997.

  Other reforms in the pipeline include: the new Pension Credit in 2003 designed to ensure that pensioners benefit from their savings; the launch of Stakeholder Pensions in April this year; and the introduction of the State Second Pension in April 2002 both of which will help provide greater security for tomorrow's pensioners.

  Better Government for Older People
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the response of the Government are to the recommendations of the "Better Government for Older People" report. [153305]

  Mr. Rooker
  We responded to the recommendations of the "Better Government for Older People" programme in "Building on Partnership", which was published on 30 January. A copy is in the Library.

  Benefit Fraud (Shrewsbury and Atcham)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of tackling benefit fraud in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire since 1 May 1997. [154649]

  Mr. Rooker
  After years of neglect, we have implemented an effective strategy for dealing with Social Security fraud. Figures are not available for the areas requested but nationally we have already made a 6.7 per cent. reduction in the level of fraud and error in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance. This is the first significant reduction.

  We are on course to meet our first target, of a 10 per cent. reduction in fraud and error, well ahead of the scheduled date in 2002.

SCOTLAND

  Barnett Formula
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions she has had with the Treasury about the operation of the Barnett Formula; and if she will make a statement. [145641]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Barnett formula continues to provide a fair deal for Scotland within the United Kingdom and we have no plans to change it. I have had no recent discussions with the Treasury.

  UK Youth Parliament
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will meet Scottish members of the UK Youth Parliament to discuss issues raised in the Parliament's manifesto. [152961]

  Mr. Foulkes
  I would be willing to meet Scottish members of the UK Youth Parliament to discuss issues raised in the Youth Parliament's manifesto.

  New Deal
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many young people in each constituency in Scotland have(a) participated in the New Deal and (b) found jobs as a result of the New Deal. [152464]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 12 March 2001]: The table shows for each parliamentary constituency in Scotland the number of young people who have participated in, and found jobs through, the New Deal since its introduction in 1998.

  Parliamentary constituency

  Starters

  Jobs

  Aberdeen, Central

  706

  326

  Aberdeen, North

  459

  189

  Aberdeen, South

  394

  193

  Airdrie and Shotts

  1,311

  657

  Angus

  1,014

  531

  Argyll and Bute

  681

  361

  Ayr

  1,049

  503

  Banff and Buchan

  424

  224

  Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

  598

  291

  arrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley

  1,272

  617

  Central Fife

  1,456

  696

  Clydebank and Milngavie

  1,002

  469

  Clydesdale

  1,108

  569

  Coatbridge and Chryston

  1,059

  528

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  845

  486

  Cunninghame, North

  1,178

  606

  Cunninghame, South

  1,394

  726

  Dumbarton

  1,344

  645

  Dumfries

  1,039

  497

  Dundee, East

  1,713

  823

  Dundee, West

  1,620

  775

  Dunfermline, East

  1,023

  506

  Dunfermline, West

  771

  380

  East Kilbride

  706

  381

  East Lothian

  436

  258

  Eastwood

  583

  296

  Edinburgh, Central

  646

  272

  Edinburgh, East and Musselburgh

  719

  311

  Edinburgh, North and Leith

  813

  366

  Edinburgh, Pentlands

  653

  310

  Edinburgh, South

  578

  297

  Edinburgh, West

  473

  246

  Falkirk, East

  934

  489

  Falkirk, West

  1,030

  545

  Galloway and Upper Nithsdale

  766

  416

  Glasgow, Anniesland

  1,216

  493

  Glasgow, Baillieston

  1,450

  613

  Glasgow, Cathcart

  938

  414

  Glasgow, Govan

  1,179

  482

  Glasgow, Kelvin

  979

  347

  Glasgow, Maryhill

  1,511

  570

  Glasgow, Pollok

  1,206

  536

  Glasgow, Rutherglen

  914

  414

  Glasgow, Shettleston

  1,497

  618

  Glasgow, Springburn

  1,781

  749

  Gordon

  359

  186

  Greenock and Inverclyde

  830

  425

  Hamilton, North and Bellshill

  1,193

  634

  270W

  Parliamentary constituency

  Starters

  Jobs

  Hamilton, South

  1,046

  502

  Inverness, East, Nairn and Lochaber

  548

  287

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  1,375

  636

  Kirkcaldy

  1,328

  595

  Linlithgow

  725

  402

  ivingston

  917

  512

  Midlothian

  472

  265

  Moray

  641

  392

  Motherwell and Wishaw

  1,282

  618

  North-East Fife

  489

  220

  North Tayside

  663

  338

  Ochil

  1,056

  516

  Orkney and Shetland

  204

  122

  Paisley, North

  989

  505

  Paisley, South

  941

  485

  Perth

  655

  377

  Ross, Skye and Inverness, West

  650

  359

  Roxburgh and Berwickshire

  576

  303

  Stirling

  678

  315

  Strathkelvin and Bearsden

  660

  370

  Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale

  530

  291

  West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

  281

  136

  West Renfrewshire

  550

  291

  Western Isles

  294

  165

  Total

  64.400

  31,268

  Salmon Farming
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of salmon farming undertakings in the UK were UK-owned in 1995; and if she will make a statement. [154143]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Details of the ultimate ownership of salmon farming businesses are not routinely collected.

  However, a study on the economic impact of the salmon farming industry, published in 1999 by the then Scottish Office, reported that a one-off survey of the Scottish industry had found that in 1996, 19 companies, representing at that time 47 per cent. of salmon production, were foreign-owned.

  Salmon farming is devolved and is now a matter for the Scottish Executive.

ADVOCATE-GENERAL

  Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland Bill)
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Advocate-General for Scotland on what date she notified the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament that she did not intend to refer the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Bill to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. [147384]

  The Advocate-General
  My Legal Secretary wrote to the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament on 22 September 2000 to notify him that I did not intend to make a reference in respect of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Bill to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council under section 33(1) of the Scotland Act 1998.
  271W

WALES

  Poverty in Wales
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) people and (b) children were living in poverty in Wales in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999, (iv) 2000 and (v) 2001. [153166]

  Mr. Bayley
  I have been asked to reply.

  Poverty and social exclusion are complex multidimensional issues, affecting many aspects of people's lives—including income, health, housing, the quality of their environment and opportunities to learn. There is no single measure that can capture the complex problems that need to be overcome.

  However a number of these aspects have seen significant improvement in Wales since 1997. For example, the number of unemployed people in Wales has fallen by around 35,000 from nearly 90,000 in February 1997 to around 55,000 in February 2001. Between 1997 and 2000 the number of children in families in Wales in receipt of out of work benefits has fallen from 160,000 to around 145,000. The proportion of 11-year-olds in Wales achieving level 4 or above at Key Stage 2 has risen in English from 64 per cent. in 1997 to 74 per cent. in 2000 and in Mathematics from 64 per cent. in 1997 to 69 per cent. in 2000.

  The annual report, "Opportunity for all", available in the Library, sets out and monitors the UK Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion. The UK Government are working in partnership with the National Assembly for Wales to tackle poverty and social exclusion in Wales.

  Note:

  Unemployment figures based on claimant count information.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the(a) dates and (b) locations of his meetings with the Irish Prime Minister between 1 July and 31 December 1999. [154766]

  The Prime Minister
  I met the Taoiseach on the following occasions between 1 July and 31 December 1999:

  Date

  Location/Event

  1 July

  Meetings at Castle Buildings

  2 July

  Breakfast at Hillsborough and meetings at Castle Buildings

  20 July

  Meeting at No. 10

  6 September

  Meetings at No. 10

  14 October

  Bilateral talks, Finland

  9 December

  Bilateral talks, Helsinki

  17 December

  British/Irish Council at Lancaster Gate and press briefing at No. 10

  272W

  Social Exclusion
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Prime Minister what progress has been made on tackling social exclusion; and if he will make a statement. [155228]

  The Prime Minister
  The Social Exclusion Unit is today publishing a report, "Preventing Social Exclusion", which sets out the Government's approach to tackling social exclusion and the results that have been delivered so far in preventing social exclusion, reintegrating those who become excluded, and delivering basic minimum standards. It is a long-term approach, but clear results are now coming through:One million more people are in work, and claimant unemployment has fallen to below 1 million for the first time since 1975. Unemployment has fallen fastest in the most deprived areas;
  Educational achievement is improving—higher standards than ever before for 11-year-olds in English and maths with a 10 and 13 per cent. improvement in each subject respectively between 1998 and 2000;
  More than a million children have been lifted out of poverty;
  Overall crime is falling and burglary is down by a quarter since 1997.

  Clear results are also coming through on the specific topics tackled by the Social Exclusion Unit;
  A fall in the numbers of rough sleepers of over a third between June 1998 and June 2000;
  A drop in school exclusions of nearly a fifth between 1997 and 1999. A third of all local education authorities provided full-time education for excluded pupils in 2000 and two-thirds plan to do so in 2001;
  A fall of over 15 per cent. between 1998 and 1999 in the numbers of 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment and training;
  A clear downward trend in teenage conceptions and an increase in the proportion of teenage parents in training, education or employment from 16 per cent. in 1997 to 31 per cent. in 2000;
  Progress in reducing the national truancy rate has been disappointing. Although some local areas have reduced truancy rates the national rate has remained static since 1997. This is being urgently addressed;
  The National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal was finalised in January this year. This is an unashamedly long-term plan, laying the foundations to ensure that within 10 to 20 years, no-one should be seriously disadvantaged by where they live.

  The Social Exclusion Unit's future priorities are going to be: to complete the current project on reducing re-offending by ex-prisoners; to follow up initial work on young runaways, on which a background paper is being published today; and to start two new projects on the educational attainment of children in care, and transport and social exclusion.

  An overall strategy for working with children and young people is being developed by the Children and Young People's Unit. As a first step, they are today publishing "Tomorrow's Future: Building a Strategy for Children and Young People", which sets the Government's intent to work with children and young people and a wide range of stakeholders in developing the strategy.

  Copies of all three reports have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
  273W

  Sir Richard Evans
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions he has met Sir Richard Evans at No. 10 Downing street since 1 May 1997. [154336]

  The Prime Minister
  I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations it is not my practice to provide details of all such meetings.

CABINET OFFICE

  Anti-drugs Strategy
  8. Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement about the Government's anti-drugs strategy. [153308]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator's Annual Report for 1999–2000 shows that we are making progress towards meeting the challenging targets we have set as part our 10-year anti-drugs strategy.

  Colleagues in Wales have launched "Tackling Substance Misuse in Wales: A Partnership approach". This reflects many of the key elements of the UK anti-drugs strategy but also covers the full range of substances misused in Wales, including alcohol.

  We announced significant additional investment for targeted action in England and in the Budget. Similar provision is being made in Wales. National Assembly plans for 2002–03 and 2003–04 also provide for increases of £1 million and £1.5 million respectively. This represents nearly 60 per cent. increase in direct expenditure by the Assembly to combat substance misuse.

  10. Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent meetings she has had with her counterparts in other countries on anti-drugs initiatives. [153310]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  One of the four key aims of the Government's drugs strategy is to reduce the availability of Class A drugs in the UK.

  Progress is being achieved through co-ordinated interdepartmental activity on agreed priorities, resulting in increased seizures of heroin and cocaine en-route to the UK and increased disruption of criminal groups involved in trafficking.

  The UK is also active in international forums, including the UN, G8 and EU, aimed at strengthening the global framework for tackling the illicit drugs trade.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the Government's anti-drugs policy. [153316]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator's Annual Report for 1999–2000 shows that we are making progress towards meeting the challenging targets we have set as part our 10-year anti-drugs strategy.

  We recognise the particular importance of tackling the problem at local level and that there is more to do. That is why we announced in the Budget significant additional investment for targeted action at local level.
  274W
  This will give the Wirral Drugs Action Team an opportunity to work with local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships to help local communities disrupt local drug markets and tackle drug related crime and the anti-social behaviour so often associated with it.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what discussions she has had with the Government's Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator on trends in the number of deaths from class A drugs since the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. [153327]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I hold regular meetings with the Government's Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator to discuss all aspects of the Government's anti-drug strategy, including the changes in the deaths from Class A drugs.

  International Drugs Strategy
  9. Angela Smith
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on progress in tackling the international drugs trade. [153309]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  As part of my recent visits to Jamaica, Iran, the USA and Colombia, I have held meetings with Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General, Condi Rice, the US National Security Adviser, President Pastrana of Colombia and others, to help strengthen our working partnerships against the destructive international drugs trade and share information and ideas for future action.

  People's Panel
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what agricultural issues have been referred to the People's Panel for its views. [153311]

  Mr. Stringer
  No research has been conducted through the People's Panel on agricultural issues, though several food-related questions have been examined.

  Better Regulation Taskforce
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the work of the better regulation taskforce. [153313]

  Mr. Stringer
  The independent Better Regulation Task Force produced eight valuable reports last year, and is now studying the economic regulators, the impact of housing benefit on lone parents, regulations affecting small shopkeepers and issues around risk.

  Class A Drug Use (Young People)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what analysis she has made of changes in the level of use of(a) heroin and (b) cocaine by young people since 1997. [153314]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Figures from the British Crime Survey show that the use of heroin remained steady between 1996 and 1998 with fewer than 0.5 per cent. of 16 to 24-year-olds using it in the last year. However, for cocaine there was an increase from 1 per cent. in 1996 to 3 per cent. in 1998.

  For the 11–15 age group heroin use has also remained steady between 1998 and 1999 with fewer than 0.5 per cent. of young people using it in the last year.
  275W
  Cocaine use also remained steady between 1998 and 1999 with 1 per cent. of 11 to 15-year-olds using it in the last year.

  We have set challenging targets to halve the numbers of young people using illegal drugs by 2008 and have recently announced an extra £152 million package from April 2001 to March 2004 for spending on education, prevention and treatment services for young people.

  There is concern about young people's involvement with drugs, crack in particular. The Southwark DAT have commissioned further work, borough wide, to explore young people's drug use and their involvement in drug dealing in more depth to inform the future development of services.

  Rural Affairs
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the impact of the ministerial group on rural affairs. [153315]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Ministerial Group on Rural Affairs helps ensure a joined-up approach to rural issues. Although details of Cabinet Committee business are not disclosed, a good example of that approach in action is the Rural White Paper, published on 28 November.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what action she has taken to co-ordinate Government policy on rural affairs since the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [153320]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I have been abroad on business during the outbreak of the disease.

  My right hon. Friend the Minister for Agriculture has been in the lead during this outbreak. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has kept a close eye on developments and has established a Rural Relief Task Force under my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment.

  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the impact of the ministerial group on rural affairs. [153325]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The ministerial group on rural affairs helps ensure a joined-up approach to rural issues. Although details of Cabinet Committee business are not disclosed, a good example of that approach in action is the Rural White Paper, published on 28 November.

  Farming
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office in what way she will be involved in the reappraisal of the role of British farming. [R] [153317]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Ministerial Group on Rural Affairs co-ordinates the Government's policies affecting rural areas, including those relating to farming.

  Cannabis
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has to legalise cannabis. [153318]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Government have a clear and consistent policy towards all illicit drugs based on the evidence of the harm they cause.
  276W
  Cannabis is a controlled drug for scientific reasons. We are still learning about the health risks, including chronic health effects such as the risk of cancer. The Government will keep the evidence under review.

  As far as cannabis use for medicinal purposes is concerned, the UK is leading the world in research into the possible medical benefits of cannabis derivatives.

  The Government are supporting a major research project which will be concluded within the next two years. If the current clinical trials into cannabis are successful and lead to the development of an effective cannabis-based medicine which is granted a marketing authorisation by the Medicines Control Agency, the Government have made it clear that they would be willing to amend the misuse of drugs regulations to allow such a medicine to be prescribed by doctors.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps have been taken to monitor the performance of each Government Department in recruiting and promoting people with disabilities. [153319]

  Mr. Stringer
  All Departments report to Ministers annually on:

  (a) Progress to double the number of people with disabilities in the senior Civil Service

  (b) Performance against targets covering other staff in their organisation.

  Regulatory Reform Bill
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what measures of deregulation she plans to introduce in the next 12 months following the passing of regulatory reform legislation. [153322]

  Mr. Stringer
  On Monday 19 March, I placed a list of proposals that could be enacted under the Regulatory Reform Bill in the House Library.

  The Bill received its Second Reading the same day.

  Consultation documents issued this week on five measures from that list. These will:
  simplify, speed up and make fairer the procedures for renewing business leases;
  place local authority business tenants on the same footing with lease renewals as other business tenants;
  deregulate new year's eve licensing and the Queen's Golden Jubilee; and
  reform the grants and loans arrangements for the renewal of private sector housing; and
  allow people to use banknotes and smartcards when playing with gaming machines.

  The full list of 51 proposals currently stands as follows:

  1. Abolition of 20 partner limit (DTI)

  2. After-hours child care at schools (DfEE)

  3. Approving a LEA's curriculum complaints procedures (DfEE)

  4. Attachment of Earnings (LCD)

  5. Births and Deaths—Wales (ONS)

  6. Births and Deaths—errors on certificates (ONS/HMT)

  7. Bootleggers—Disclosure of names (HM Customs and Excise)

  277W

  8. Building Regulations (DETR)

  9. Business tenancies (DETR)

  10. Civil Registration Service Reform (ONS/HMT)

  11. Copyright and Patents (Patent Office)

  12. Dental services-provision by corporate bodies (DoH)

  13. Disclosure of information by MAFF to, HSE (MAFF)

  14. Disposal of land at less than best price (DETR)

  15. DVLA links with Benefit Agency (DVLA)

  16. DVLA/Passport Agency Data Links (DVLA)

  17. Environment Agency Legislative Review (DETR)

  18. Fire safety (Home Office)

  19. Gaming Machines (Home Office)

  20. Grants and loans for the renewal of private sector housing (DETR)

  21. Home Grown Cereals Authority: Approval by Ministers of pensions and gratuities and arrangements for maintaining pension schemes (MAFF)

  22. Home Grown Cereals Authority: Approval by the Treasury of remuneration for advisory committee members (MAFF)

  23. Home Grown Cereals Authority: Corn Returns (MAFF)

  24. Housing Transfers (DETR)

  25. Invalid Care Allowance (DSS)

  26. Landlord and Tenant Act s.57 (DETR)

  27. Legal Services Ombudsman—personal signature (LCD)

  28. Meat and Livestock Commission—extension of powers (MAFF)

  29. Medicine Licences (DoH)

  30. New Years Eve deregulation (Home Office)

  31. NHS Accounting for charitable funds (DoH)

  32. National Insurance Contributions (NICS)—Third party awards to employees (Inland Revenue)

  33. Orders removing exemptions from caravan site licensing (DETR)

  34. Public Health Legislation—comminunicable disease (DoH)

  35. Reform of charity law (Home Office Charity Commission)

  36. Reform of Gambling—Bingo (Home Office)

  37. Reform of Unsolicited Goods and Service Act (DTI)

  38. Rehabilitation of offenders—caution reprimands and final warnings (Home Office)

  39. Repeal of Trading Stamps Act (DTI)

  40. Restaurant licensing hours (Home Office)

  41. Road Traffic Regulation (DETR)

  42. Sexual Offences and access to victim material (Home Office)

  43. Solicitors Act 1974 (LCD)

  44. Street Trading (Home Office)

  45. Tree Preservation Order System (DETR)

  46. Unfair contract terms (DTI)

  47. Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme (DSS)

  48. Vehicle Crime Reduction—Seriously Damaged Vehicle Information Hot Line and Mandatory Mileage Recording (DVLA)

  49. Vexatious Litigants (LCD)

  50. Voluntary aided schools capital funding arrangements (DfEE)

  51. Weights and measures (DTI)

  Modernising Government Programme
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made in the Modernising Government Programme to ensure that correspondence between hon. Members and Ministers can be electronic. [153324]
  278W
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Following the commitment given in the Modernising Government White Paper, all Departments now have a central email address to which hon. Members, and members of the public, can mail their correspondence. Details of Departments' email addresses can be found on each Department's website.

  E-signatures
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made in implementing policy on the use of e-signatures. [153328]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Good progress has been made in implementing policy on the use of electronic signatures.

  The electronic signature registration process on the Government Gateway, which provides an authentication mechanism for citizens and businesses using Government services, went live early in February 2001.

  The Inland Revenue has introduced electronic filing of tax returns, and PAYE end of year returns, both certified by a form of electronic signature.

  Customs and Excise is introducing electronic filing of VAT returns, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is introducing an electronic Area Aid Application service for farmers. Both these services will be available in March 2001 and will use electronic signatures.

  Orders are planned under section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 to enable Departments to accept electronic signatures for various transactions. Examples are electronic conveyancing, the use of electronic signatures by general practitioners on electronic prescriptions and by Ministers on newly made Statutory Instruments transmitted electronically to HMSO.

  Civil Service Posts (Relocation)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many Civil Service posts have been moved from London to the regions since May 1997. [153329]

  Mr. Stringer
  The information is not available in the form requested. In April 1997, there were 475,341 permanent Civil Service staff of whom 86,640 were working in London. By April 1999, of 460,039 permanent staff, 84,420 worked in London. The proportion of staff working in the capital has changed very little, from 18.2 per cent. to 18.4 per cent. over the same period.

  Ministerial Visit (Iran)
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement about her recent visit to Iran. [153330]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Mr. Mackinlay).

  Knowledge Network
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what has been the cost to the Government of the new Knowledge Network system; and if she will make a statement. 1153404]
  279W
  Marjorie Mowlam
  The cost to the Government of the new Knowledge Network system has been £3.6 million (GBP) to date.

  Departmental Policies (Lincoln)
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Lincoln constituency, the effects on Lincoln of her Office's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [152984]

  Mr. Stringer
  The policy recommendations in Cabinet Office reports relate to England as a whole and it is therefore not possible to say what their specific impact is on a particular constituency. Additionally, any policy changes arising from Cabinet Office unit reports, such as the Social Exclusion Unit and the United Kingdom
  280W
  Anti-Drugs Co-ordination Unit, are implemented by the appropriate Government Department rather than by the Unit itself.

  Departmental Policies (Lancaster and Wyre)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly is possible to the Lancaster and Wyre constituency, the effects on Lancaster and Wyre of her Office's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154689]

  Mr. Stringer
  The policy recommendations in Cabinet Office reports relate to England as a whole and it is therefore not possible to say what their specific impact is on a particular constituency. Additionally, any policy changes arising from Cabinet Office unit reports, such as the Social Exclusion Unit and the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordination Unit, are implemented by the appropriate Government Department rather than by the Unit itself.

  Road Traffic Noise
  Road Traffic Noise
  Global Sustainable Development
  Global Sustainable Development
  Urban Rat and Fox Populations: Plastic Rubbish Bags
  Urban Rat and Fox Populations: Plastic Rubbish Bags
  Depleted Uranium
  Depleted Uranium
  Nuclear Power: Replacement Technologies
  Nuclear Power: Replacement Technologies
  Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill: Human Rights Convention Compatibility
  Consolidated Fund (No. 2) Bill: Human Rights Convention Compatibility
  Western Sahara
  Western Sahara
  Amsterdam Treaty: Enhanced Co-operation Measures
  Amsterdam Treaty: Enhanced Co-operation Measures
  Yugoslav War Crimes Tribunal: UK Participation
  Yugoslav War Crimes Tribunal: UK Participation
  Swaziland: Democracy
  Swaziland: Democracy
  Kosovo: Export Licence for Military Trailer Repair and Maintenance Components
  Kosovo: Export Licence for Military Trailer Repair and Maintenance Components
  Southern Serbia and Macedonia: Unrest
  Southern Serbia and Macedonia: Unrest
  Treaty of Nice: Text
  Treaty of Nice: Text
  Beef Imports from Germany
  Beef Imports from Germany
  Diagnostic Tests: Waiting Time
  Diagnostic Tests: Waiting Time
  Food Origin Labelling
  Food Origin Labelling
  Public Health Expenditure Comparisons
  Public Health Expenditure Comparisons
  Deep Vein Thrombosis
  Deep Vein Thrombosis
  Internet Service Providers and Tobacco Advertising
  Internet Service Providers and Tobacco Advertising
  Organic Foods: Authenticity
  Organic Foods: Authenticity
  Variant CJD
  Variant CJD
  Court Service: Key Performance Targets
  Court Service: Key Performance Targets